Systems and methods for holistic low carbon intensity fuel and ethanol production

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods to provide low carbon intensity (CI) ethanol through one or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions based upon an analysis of carbon emissions associated with a combination of various options for feedstock procurement, feedstock refining, processing, or transformation, and ethanol distribution pathways to end users. Such options are selected to maintain the total CI (carbon emissions per unit energy) of the ethanol below a pre-selected threshold that defines an upper limit of CI for the ethanol.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/061,162, filed Aug. 4, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL PRODUCTION,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/066,912 filed Aug. 18, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL PRODUCTION,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/198,626 filed Oct. 30, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION,” and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/113,186 filed Nov. 12, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR HOLISTIC LOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION,”the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to low carbon intensitytransportation fuel, low carbon intensity ethanol, and/or low carbonintensity hydrogen production, and more particularly, to systems andmethods for procuring, refining/transforming, and making low carbonintensity transportation fuels, low carbon intensity ethanol, and lowcarbon intensity hydrogen available to end user consumers.

BACKGROUND

Certain gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorinated chemicals, sulfur hexafluoride, etc.,when released to the atmosphere are purported to adversely contribute toclimate change and have been labeled as greenhouse gases. To mitigateperceived climate change, much worldwide attention and focus has beenplaced on reducing the release of these greenhouse gases to atmosphere.Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are directly released toatmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels, biomass and othercarbon-containing materials. However, providing services as well as themanufacturing and processing of goods contributes indirectly to theatmospheric release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Toquantify the direct and indirect release of greenhouse gasesattributable to consumer and/or industrial activity, the carbonintensity or emission intensity was developed as a measure of thegreenhouse gases emitted per unit of activity/production. With respectto transportation fuel and hydrogen production and use, the carbonintensity may be defined as the lifecycle greenhouse gases emitted perunit of energy. By assessing the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, allgreenhouse gas emissions attributable to the fuel or hydrogen areaccounted for during the entire lifecycle of the fuel or hydrogen fromacquisition to processing to combustion. The carbon intensity fortransportation fuels and hydrogen is often reported in units of grams ofcarbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule of energy. Because somegreenhouse gases, such as methane, are considered to have a greaterclimatic effect than carbon dioxide, greenhouse gas emissions arereported in carbon dioxide equivalents.

Typical implementations of a low carbon intensity energy strategy mayfocus on the direct use by an end user or consumer of alternative,renewable sources of low carbon energy, such as power generated by wind,solar, or geothermal. For example, low carbon intensity renewable powermay be generated at wind farms, solar farms, geothermal powerplants/facilities, and/or hydroelectric facilities. Often, however, suchfarms and facilities are located at long distances from the end user orconsumer. Thus, the alternative energy must be transferred from theseremote locations to the end user over long distances, e.g., via highvoltage transmission lines.

Inherent in such transmission is a loss of energy and an inefficient useof resources. Further, the transferred renewable power often is in aform that requires adaptation in order to be usable, which therebyincreases its carbon intensity further. For example, to avoidconventional higher carbon intensity fuels in gasoline fueled vehicles,an end user or consumer may purchase an electric vehicle and install ahome charging station to take advantage of renewable power. However,such choices may come at a considerable expense to the end user, whomust purchase the electric vehicle and charging station. Moreover, theindirect use of higher carbon intensity fuels may also be overlooked.The construction of the electrical vehicles and their requiredaccessories may contribute to significant carbon emissions if conductedusing higher carbon intensity fuels. The production of electric vehiclesmay also create environmentally hazardous events and/or byproductmaterials (e.g., mined nickel for use in batteries). Thus, thisinterplay may negate the overall environmental impact of the electricvehicle, even if energy is provided at a lower carbon intensity.

Similarly, renewable natural gas may often be produced at facilitieslocated at long distances from the end user. Such long distances willnecessitate transportation of the renewable natural gas via pipeline ortruck to the end user or consumer. The use of conventional higher carbonintensity fuels or energy sources in such transportation will increasethe carbon intensity of the renewable natural gas significantly.

Furthermore, a consumer that chooses the direct use of alternative,renewable energy source may continue to purchase higher carbon intensityliquid fuels from convenience stores or other retail outlets foroccasions when electric vehicles are insufficient (e.g., long distancedriving or lack of charging facilities). These higher carbon intensityliquid fuels originate in traditional refineries and similar facilitiesand are transported to such convenience stores with such transportfurther increasing the carbon intensity of the transportation fuel.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical implementation 100 of a low carbonintensity energy strategy, which is largely focused on the use by theend user or consumer 102 of alternative, renewable sources of low carbonenergy 108, 111, such as renewable natural gas produced from biomasswastes, electric power generated by wind, solar, geothermal, and/orhydroelectric sources, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 1, low carbonintensity renewable electric power 108 is generated at wind farms, solararrays, geothermal power plants/facilities, and/or hydroelectricfacilities. The electric power generated at these sources must often betransmitted long distances via high voltage transmission lines 109 tothe renewable energy infrastructure 110 accessible by the consumer 102.This renewable energy infrastructure may include electric vehicles,charging stations, renewable natural gas pipelines and fueling stations,etc. However, when the renewable electric power reaches the consumer 102via the renewable energy infrastructure 110, the consumer 102 may haveto take further action, e.g., purchase an electric vehicle, in order tobe able to properly make use of the renewable energy.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is produced from biomass wastes atfacilities 111, such as landfills, wastewater treatment plants, dairies,slaughterhouses and agricultural waste facilities, which are alsooftentimes far from the consumer 102. The decomposition and/orbiodegradation of biomass wastes produces methane and other gases. RNGis the methane that is separated via conventional separation techniquesfrom other gases evolved during the decomposition of these biomasswastes. As a greenhouse gas, methane is considered to have a muchgreater impact than carbon dioxide, i.e., about 26 times the effect ofcarbon dioxide. Thus, reclaiming methane that would otherwise bereleased to atmosphere may significantly reduce greenhouse gasemissions. RNG is interchangeable with natural gas for pipeline anddistribution purposes; therefore, the RNG may be marketed as a renewableenergy and offered via typical distribution channels 107, e.g., truck orpipeline, to the end user or consumer 102. The renewable energyinfrastructure 110, as shown in FIG. 1, encompasses the equipment andfacilities necessary to permit such distribution channels for RNG, whichallow the fuel to be accessible to the end user consumer 102. Again,however, the end user or consumer 102 may be forced to purchase vehiclespowered by natural gas in order to be able to properly make use of therenewable energy.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the consumer 102, in many cases, willcontinue to purchase higher carbon intensity liquid fuels fromconvenience stores 104 or other retail outlets for occasions whenelectric vehicles are insufficient, e.g., long distance driving. Highercarbon intensity fuels 106 may also be transported 105 and employedindirectly by the consumer. Such indirect uses may include, but are notlimited to, constructing and providing the renewable energyinfrastructure 110 to permit the customer or consumer 102 to takeadvantage of the renewable energy. Further, higher CI liquid fuels maybe necessary to produce the renewable energy and transport the renewableenergy.

FIG. 17 illustrates a typical implementation 1700 of a hydrogenproduction strategy, which may largely focus on the use, by refineryprocesses, of high carbon intensity hydrogen 1711, such as hydrogenproduced in a typical steam reforming process 1706 utilizing a typicalnatural gas feedstock 1704. As illustrated in FIG. 17, natural gasfeedstock 1702 may be generated at wellheads or refineries. The naturalgas feedstock 1702 generated at these sources may be transmitted longdistances via pipeline, vehicle, marine vessel, or rail 1704 or may betransmitted via pipeline from a co-located refinery for use in a steamreforming process 1706. This steam reforming process 1706 may include atypical methane steam reformer located in a typical refinery. A typicalsteam reforming process 1706 may produce a high carbon intensityhydrogen 1711 and carbon dioxide 1708, the high carbon intensity due inpart to carbon dioxide 1708 produced via the steam reforming process1706. The carbon dioxide 1708 may be released into the atmosphere 1710.Further, the high carbon intensity hydrogen 1711 may be transported viapipeline/piping 1712 for refinery processing 1714 at a co-located orremote refinery. Such high carbon intensity hydrogen 1711 may furtherincrease the carbon intensity of an output of the refinery processing1714. The refinery processing 1714 (e.g., at a co-located refinery) mayproduce a high carbon intensity transportation fuel 1718 for use by anend user. The high carbon intensity transportation fuel 1718 may includea carbon intensity which is increased further, due to the use of thehigh carbon intensity hydrogen 1711.

Accordingly, Applicants have recognized a need for systems and methodsto provide an energy consumer with low carbon intensity transportationfuels and low carbon intensity hydrogen through conventional pathways inwhich the low carbon intensity transportation fuels and low carbonintensity hydrogen are achieved through targeted reductions of carbonemissions associated with the various stages of fuel and hydrogenselection, production, and transport. The present disclosure is directedto embodiments of such systems and methods.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods forproviding a low carbon intensity (CI) transportation fuel and/or low CIhydrogen to an end user. The procuring of feedstocks, the refining orconverting/transforming of those feedstocks into transportation fuels orhydrogen, respectively, and distribution of those transportation fuelsor hydrogen to the end user (in other words, each stage oftransportation fuel or hydrogen production) each may incrementallyincrease the carbon intensity of the transportation fuel or hydrogen. Insome embodiments, the systems and methods may provide for the low CItransportation fuel to be obtained through one or more targetedreductions of carbon emissions associated with various options forfeedstock procurement, feedstock transportation, feedstock refining andfuel product distribution pathways. In other embodiments, the systemsand methods may provide for the low CI hydrogen to be obtained throughone or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions associated withvarious options for feedstock procurement, feedstock transportation,feedstock conversion or transformation and hydrogen distributionpathways. Alternative, renewable energy sources, such as power generatedfrom wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric as well as renewablefeedstocks obtained from plant and/or animal sources, may be used toreduce the carbon emissions of these various options. The resultingtransportation fuels have a lower carbon intensity because the lowcarbon intensity alternative energy sources are integrated into theproduct fuels during feedstock selection, transportation, refining, andproduct distribution. Further, the resulting hydrogen may have a lowercarbon intensity because the low carbon intensity alternative energysources may be integrated into the hydrogen during feedstock selection,transportation, converting/transforming, and hydrogen distribution. Theintegration of alternative, renewable energy sources, which may beco-located geographically with conventional refineries, othertransportation fuel processing facilities, and/or hydrogen productionfacilities or sources, reduces the added carbon intensity oftransporting such energy directly to the consumer. Here, the consumerbenefits at least three fold: First, conventional transportation fuelswith a verified lower carbon intensity may be obtained; second, such lowcarbon conventional transportation fuels may be readily purchased fromtraditional retail outlets, such as convenience stores, without theconsumer needing to purchase special vehicles and/or equipment, e.g.,electric vehicles, to take advantage of the low carbon intensity energyafforded by alternative, renewable energy sources; and three, low CIhydrogen and/or low CI power produced via the low CI hydrogen may beintegrated into various other processes or products, lowering the CI ofthose processes and offering a further variety of low CI products, e.g.,vehicle fuel cells and/or low CI energy produced at a power plant orstationary fuel cell power system.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a process toprovide low carbon intensity ethanol for blending with a refinedtransportation fuel, the low carbon intensity ethanol obtained throughone or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions associated with acombination of various fermentable feedstock procurement, fermentablefeedstock transportation, ethanol production, and ethanol distributionpathways. The process may include selecting a carbon intensity thresholdto define an upper limit for carbon intensity of ethanol to be providedto an end user location. The process may include selecting a fermentablefeedstock that is procured at a source, the fermentable feedstock beingselected to reduce carbon emissions associated therewith and therebymaintain the carbon intensity of the ethanol below the carbon intensitythreshold. The process may include selecting a transportation pathway totransport the fermentable feedstock from the source to an ethanol plant,the transportation pathway being selected to reduce carbon emissionsassociated therewith and thereby maintain the carbon intensity of theethanol below the carbon intensity threshold. The process may includeselecting one or more ethanol production processes to reduce carbonemissions and thereby maintain the carbon intensity of the ethanol belowthe carbon intensity threshold, the one or more ethanol productionprocesses selected from a group including, powering at least a portionof ethanol plant equipment with electricity generated proximate theethanol plant through a renewable source, burning renewable natural gasin an ethanol plant furnace, generating steam through renewable naturalgas-fed boilers, and sequestering carbon dioxide produced during theethanol production process;

The process may include processing the fermentable feedstock intoethanol together with operating the selected one or more ethanolproduction processes. The process may include selecting a distributionpathway to transport a quantity of the ethanol from the ethanol plant tothe end user location, the distribution pathway being selected to reducecarbon emissions associated therewith and thereby maintain the carbonintensity of the ethanol below the carbon intensity threshold. Theprocess may include determining the carbon intensity of the ethanol as afunction of carbon emissions per unit energy associated with procuringthe selected fermentable feedstock at the source, carbon emissions perunit energy associated with transporting the fermentable feedstock fromthe source to the ethanol plant by use of the selected transportationpathway, carbon emissions per unit energy associated with processing thefermentable feedstock into ethanol together with operating the one ormore ethanol production processes, and carbon emissions per unit energyassociated with transporting the quantity of ethanol to the end userlocation by use of the selected distribution pathway. The process mayinclude verifying that the carbon intensity of the ethanol remains belowthe carbon intensity threshold for the ethanol to be provided to the enduser location. The process may include maintaining a record that isassociated with the ethanol to be provided to the end user location, therecord detailing the carbon intensity of the ethanol. The process mayinclude outputting the ethanol through the selected distribution pathwayas low carbon intensity ethanol.

an embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a system to operate anethanol plant for distribution of a low carbon intensity (CI) ethanoltherefrom and obtained through one or more targeted reductions of carbonemissions (CE) associated with combinations of various availablefermentable feedstock to be supplied to various ethanol plants, variousselected fermentable feedstock transportation and ethanol distributionpathways, and various ethanol production processes, the systemcomprising. The system may include an ethanol plant controller tocontrol one or more various ethanol production processes to be operatedat one or more ethanol plants. The system may include an ethanolintegration controller in signal communication with the ethanol plantcontroller, the ethanol integration controller including one or moreprocessors and memory storing instructions, the instructions, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, to determine a fermentablefeedstock CI for each of one or more available fermentable feedstockfrom one or more available fermentable feedstock sources to be suppliedto the one or more ethanol plants from one or more available fermentablefeedstock transportation pathways. The ethanol integration controllermay be configured to, for each one or more available fermentablefeedstock, determine a fermentable feedstock transportation CI for eachof one or more available fermentable feedstock transportation pathwaysbased on (1) a volume of a fermentable feedstock transportation pathway,(2) fuel type utilized by the fermentable feedstock transportationpathway, and (3) distance to travel to the one or more ethanol plants.The ethanol integration controller may be configured to determine anethanol production process CI for each of one or more ethanol productionprocesses based on (1) one or more available ethanol productionprocesses available at the one or more ethanol plants, (2) a type offermentable feedstock of the one or more available fermentablefeedstock, and (3) a yield of each one or more available ethanolproduction processes. The ethanol integration controller may beconfigured to The ethanol integration controller may be configured todetermine a utilities CI for each of one or more utilities based on (1)a type of utility to be used during an ethanol production process and(2) a utilities' source. The ethanol integration controller may beconfigured to determine an ethanol distribution CI for each of one ormore available ethanol distribution pathway based on (1) a volume of anethanol distribution pathway, (2) a type of the ethanol distributionpathway, (3) fuel type utilized by the ethanol distribution pathway, and(4) distance to travel for a delivery of ethanol. The ethanolintegration controller may be configured to determine a set ofcombinations, each of the set of combinations including (1) one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock, (2) one or more available fermentablefeedstock transportation pathways, (3) one or more ethanol productionprocesses of one or more ethanol plants, (4) one or more utilities, and(5) one or more available ethanol distribution pathways. The ethanolintegration controller may be configured to determine a total CI foreach of the set of combinations.

The ethanol integration controller may be configured to determine afinal selection from the set of combinations including a total CI lessthan or equal to a threshold CI, the threshold CI being defined as anupper limit of CI in providing ethanol to an end user location thatqualifies the ethanol as a low CI ethanol, the CI of the ethanol being afunction of the total carbon emissions per unit energy of the ethanol,the final selection including (1) a selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock, (2) a selected one or more fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways, (3) selected one or more ethanol productionprocesses of one or more ethanol plants, (4) a selected one or moreutilities, and (5) a selected one or more ethanol distribution pathways.

The ethanol integration controller may be configured to in response tothe final selection, transmit a fermentable feedstock request based onthe selected one or more available fermentable feedstock and theselected one or more fermentable feedstock transportation pathways. Theethanol integration controller may be configured to in response to adetermined reception of the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock at the one or more ethanol plants, initiate, at the ethanolplant controller, the selected one or more ethanol production processesof the one or more ethanol production processes, and the selected one ormore utilities to operate the selected one or more ethanol productionprocesses thereby to transform the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock to ethanol. The ethanol integration controller maybe configured to in response to determination of completion of theselected one or more ethanol production processes, transmit a deliveryrequest of the ethanol via the selected one or more ethanol distributionpathways.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to an ethanolintegration controller to operate one or more ethanol plants fordistribution of a low carbon intensity (CI) ethanol therefrom and forblending with a refined transportation fuel and obtained through one ormore targeted reductions of carbon emissions (CE) associated withvarious available fermentable feedstock to be supplied to the one ormore ethanol plants, various selected fermentable feedstocktransportation and blended fuel distribution pathways, and various mayinclude a first input/output in signal communication with a procurementcomputing device. The ethanol integration controller may be configuredto determine a selection of one or more available feedstock, a selectionof one or more feedstock transportation pathways, a selection of one ormore ethanol production processes at one or more ethanol productionsources, a selection of one or more utilities, and a selection of one ormore ethanol distribution pathways, each selection based on (1) adetermination of fermentable feedstock CI of one or more blends of theone or more available fermentable feedstock based on volume and type offermentable feedstock and based on a CI associated with procuring afermentable feedstock, (2) a determination of fermentable feedstocktransportation CI of one or more fermentable feedstock transportationpathways based on delivery distance and fuel type of the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, (3) a determination of ethanolproduction process CI of one or more ethanol production processes at oneor more ethanol plants based on the type of ethanol production process,the volume and type of feedstock, and the length of time of the ethanolproduction process, (4) a determination of utility CI of one or moreutilities based on the type of utility utilized to operate the one ormore ethanol production processes and a distance the one or moreutilities travel to the one or more ethanol production processes, (5) adetermination of ethanol distribution CI of one or more ethanoldistribution pathways based on delivery distance and fuel type of anethanol distribution pathway, and (6) a determination of one or moretotal CIs less than the threshold CI, the total CIs based on varyingcombinations of the determinations of CI.

The ethanol integration controller may be configured, in response to theselection of the one or more available fermentable feedstock, theselection of one or more fermentable feedstock transportation pathways,the selection of one or more ethanol production processes at one or moreethanol plants, the selection of one or more utilities, and theselection of one or more ethanol distribution pathways, transmit afermentable feedstock request to the procurement computing device, thefermentable feedstock request including the selection of the one or moreavailable feedstock and the selection of the one or more feedstocktransportation pathways.

The ethanol integration controller may include a second input/output insignal communication with an ethanol plant controller, the ethanol plantcontroller to control one or more various ethanol production processesto be operated at the one or more ethanol plants. The ethanolintegration controller may be configured, in response to a determinedreception of the selected one or more available fermentable feedstock atthe one or more ethanol plants, determine actual fermentable feedstockCI and actual fermentable feedstock transportation CI. The ethanolintegration controller may be configured in response to a determinationthat the actual fermentable feedstock CI and actual fermentablefeedstock transportation CI has increased in relation to the determinedfermentable feedstock CI and determined fermentable feedstocktransportation CI, determine one or more of a new selection of one ormore ethanol production processes, a new selection of one or moreutilities, and a new selection of one or more ethanol distributionpathways to maintain total CI. The ethanol integration controller may beconfigured initiate, at the ethanol plant controller, the selected oneor more ethanol production processes at the one or more ethanol plantsand the selected one or more utilities to operate the selected one ormore ethanol production processes at the one or more ethanol plantsthereby to transform the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock to ethanol.

The ethanol integration controller may include a third input/output insignal communication with a distribution computing device. The ethanolintegration controller may be configured, in response to determinationof completion of the selected one or more ethanol production processesat the selected one or more ethanol plants, determine an actual ethanolproduction process CI and an actual utility CI. The ethanol integrationcontroller may be configured, in response to a determination that theactual ethanol production process CI and actual utility CI has increasedin relation to the determined ethanol production process CI anddetermined utility CI, determine one or more new selections of one ormore ethanol distribution pathways. The ethanol integration controllermay be configured transmit a delivery request of the ethanol via theselection of the one or more ethanol distribution pathways to thedistribution computing device.

Still other aspects and advantages of these embodiments and otherembodiments, are discussed in detail herein. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing information and the followingdetailed description provide merely illustrative examples of variousaspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview orframework for understanding the nature and character of the claimedaspects and embodiments. Accordingly, these and other objects, alongwith advantages and features of the present disclosure herein disclosed,will become apparent through reference to the following description andthe accompanying drawings. Furthermore, it is to be understood that thefeatures of the various embodiments described herein are not mutuallyexclusive and may exist in various combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbecome better understood with regard to the following descriptions,claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that thedrawings illustrate only several embodiments of the disclosure and,therefore, are not to be considered limiting of the scope of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a typical implementationof a low carbon intensity energy strategy in which lower carbon fuelsupplies and higher carbon fuel supplies are provided to the end uservia separate distribution chains.

FIG. 2A is a map of the continental United States that illustrates thelocation of low carbon intensity energy supplies as compared to thelocations of current and projected demands for low carbon intensityfuels.

FIG. 2B is a map of the continental United States that illustrates thosestates that have the resource potential to supply wind energy, solarenergy, and both wind and solar energy.

FIG. 2C is a map of the continental United States that illustrates thosestates that have major soybean and renewable diesel production as wellthose states that additionally have major corn and ethanol production.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating the progression of efforts to thecarbon intensity of providing transportation fuels, which moved fromconventional use of fossil fuels shown on the far left, to increasedenergy efficiency shown in the middle, to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure shown on the far right that reduce carbon intensityfrom feedstock procurement to transportation fuel delivery to an enduser location.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments that reducecarbon intensity from feedstock procurement to transportation fueldelivery to an end user location.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a novel implementationof a low carbon intensity energy strategy in which lower carbon energyis introduced and used during the acquisition and refining of highercarbon intensity feedstocks as well as the distribution of the resultinglow carbon intensity fuels to the end user, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a novel implementationof a low carbon intensity energy strategy in which lower carbon energyis introduced and used during the acquisition and refining of highercarbon intensity feedstocks as well as the distribution of the resultinglow carbon intensity fuels either directly through retail outlets to theend user or indirectly through the renewable energy infrastructure tothe end user, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a simplified graph illustrating the cost versus difficulty ofimplementation of various low carbon intensity applications.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of low carbon intensity energy production inwhich lower carbon energy sources are integrated during the acquisitionand refining of higher carbon intensity feedstocks into lower carbonintensity fuels as well as the distribution of the resulting lowercarbon intensity fuels to the end user, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity energy production according to theshown flow chart.

FIG. 9 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition andrefining of higher carbon intensity feedstocks into lower carbonintensity fuels as well as the distribution of the resulting lowercarbon intensity fuels to the end user, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the various blending locations forbiomass-derived biodiesel and/or ethanol with respect to the processdescribed in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a chart illustrating an optimization routine that may becontroller-operated to select various refining and/or processing optionsin order to minimize the carbon intensity of the resultingtransportation fuels.

FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity energy production according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 13A-E are flow diagrams, implemented in a controller, for managingthe low carbon intensity energy production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 14A-B are simplified diagrams illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity energy production according to anembodiment

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a system for managing the lowcarbon intensity energy production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 16A-F are block diagrams illustrating a system for managing thelow carbon intensity energy production according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a typicalimplementation of a hydrogen production strategy in which higher carbonintensity hydrogen is provided to a refinery to produce a high carbonintensity transportation fuel provided to the end user via adistribution chain.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments that reducecarbon intensity from feedstock procurement to hydrogen delivery tovarious end user locations according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a novel implementationof a low carbon intensity hydrogen strategy in which lower carbon energyis introduced and used during the acquisition and refining of feedstockas well as the distribution of the resulting low carbon intensityhydrogen to the end user, according to one or more embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 20 is a simplified diagram illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity hydrogen production according to theshown flow chart according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition andtransformation of higher carbon intensity feedstock into lower carbonintensity hydrogen as well as the distribution of the resulting lowercarbon intensity hydrogen to the end user, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a system for managing the lowcarbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 23A-D are flow diagrams, implemented in a controller, for managingthe low carbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 24A-E are simplified diagrams illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity hydrogen production according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 25A-C are block diagrams illustrating a system for managing thelow carbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments that reducecarbon intensity from fermentation feedstock procurement totransportation fuel delivery to an end user location according to anembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a novel implementationof a low carbon intensity ethanol strategy in which lower carbon energyis introduced and used during the acquisition and distillation offermentation feedstock as well as the distribution of the resulting lowcarbon intensity ethanol to a fuel blending site, according to one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition andtransformation of fermentation feedstock into lower carbon intensityethanol, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a system for managing the lowcarbon intensity ethanol production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 30A-D are block diagrams illustrating a system for managing thelow carbon intensity ethanol production according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 31A-C are simplified diagrams illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity ethanol production according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 32A-B are flow diagrams, implemented in a controller, for managingthe low carbon intensity ethanol production according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a flow diagram, implemented in a controller, for managing thelow carbon intensity ethanol production, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well asothers that will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, amore particular description of embodiments of systems and methodsbriefly summarized above may be had by reference to the followingdetailed description of embodiments thereof, in which one or more arefurther illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of thisspecification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrateonly various embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein andare therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the systemsand methods disclosed herein as it may include other effectiveembodiments as well.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for theproduction of low carbon intensity transportation fuels and otherrefined products. In one or more embodiments, systems and methods forproviding a low carbon intensity (CI) transportation fuel to an end userare disclosed. In conventional refining, a suitable feedstock, e.g., aheavy, mid, and/or light crude, is selected, procured, and transportedto the refinery. Certain refinery operations, including one or more ofdistilling, cracking, treating, separating and blending of refinedproducts, are conducted to yield desired liquid transportation fuels.Such transportation fuels are then transported through variousdistribution pathways to retail outlets, e.g., convenience stores, forpurchase by end user customers.

The present disclosure is further directed to systems and methods forthe production of low carbon intensity hydrogen. In one or moreembodiments, systems and methods for providing a low carbon intensity(CI) hydrogen to an end user are disclosed. Typically, hydrogen isproduced via a steam reforming process co-located at a refinery. Asuitable feedstock, e.g., methane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), isselected, procured, and transported to the co-located refinery and steamreformer. The steam reforming operations are conducted to yield desiredliquid or gas hydrogen. The hydrogen is then transported throughintra-refinery pipe or pipelines for use in various refinery operations,e.g., hydrotreating or hydrocracking. Further, the steam reformingoperation typically produces carbon dioxide, which is normally releasedinto the atmosphere.

The feedstocks selected for the production of transportation fuels havean initial or inherent carbon intensity, which is expressed as grams ofcarbon dioxide per unit energy. This initial or inherent carbonintensity represents the carbon emissions that would result if thefeedstock—in its natural state without consideration of any pre- orpost-processing—were to be combusted completely, e.g., completecombustion of the hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water based onstoichiometric combustion as would be understood by those skilled in theart. However, the procuring of such feedstocks, the refining of thosefeedstocks into transportation fuels, and distribution of thosetransportation fuels to the end user (in other words, each stage of fuelproduction) each may incrementally increase (or decrease) the carbonintensity of the final transportation fuel purchased by the end user.Nonetheless, it should be noted that this inherent or initial carbonintensity of the raw feedstock (i.e., of its fuel value) may often bethe largest contributor to the overall carbon intensity of anytransportation fuel that is produced therefrom. The carbon intensity ofthe final transportation fuel is increased if carbon emissions—expressedas grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per unit energy—result from suchactivities. For example, the determined grams of carbon dioxideequivalent per unit energy evolved as a result of the activity is addedto the initial or inherent carbon intensity of the material that is thesubject of the activity. Conversely, if activities that sequester carbonor mitigate the release of carbon emissions are employed, the carbonemissions may be negative or just slightly positive such that the carbonintensity of the transportation fuel is reduced or increases onlyslightly as a result of the activity.

Currently, renewable energy is produced and distributed directly to endusers and oftentimes through dedicated channels. Frequently, the endusers of such renewable energy must make special accommodations, e.g.,renewable energy infrastructure purchases or significant travel todistribution points, in order to benefit from renewable energy.Moreover, energy sources having a higher carbon intensity, such astransportation fuels, are used in the construction and distribution ofthe renewable energy infrastructure or in the provision of renewableenergy from its generation source to its procurement by end users. Suchuse of higher carbon intensity energy sources at least partially offsetthe low carbon intensity of renewable energy.

In some embodiments disclosed herein, the systems and methods mayprovide for low carbon intensity transportation fuels produced throughone or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions associated withvarious options for feedstock procurement, feedstock transportation,feedstock refining, and fuel product/refined product/refined feedstockdistribution pathways. Renewable energy sources, such as power generatedfrom wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric generators as well asrenewable feedstocks obtained from biomass sources (e.g., plantcrops/waste or animal waste), may be used to reduce the carbon emissionsof these various options. The resulting transportation fuels have alower carbon intensity because the low carbon intensity alternativeenergy sources are integrated into the product transportation fuelsduring feedstock selection, transportation, refining, and productdistribution. The integration of alternative, renewable energy sources,which may be co-located geographically with conventional refineries andother transportation fuel processing facilities, reduces the addedcarbon intensity of transporting such energy directly to the consumer.The consumer purchaser of these lower carbon intensity transportationfuels and other refined products benefits in at least two ways: First,conventional transportation fuels are made available with carbonintensities that have been at least partially offset by processing stepsthat use the lower carbon intensities of alternative, renewableenergies, such that lower carbon intensities of the alternative,renewable energies are integrated into the verifiably lower carbonintensity conventional transportation fuel. Second, such low carbonconventional transportation fuels may be readily purchased fromtraditional retail outlets, such as convenience stores, without theconsumer needing to purchase special vehicles and/or equipment, e.g.,electric vehicles, to take advantage of the low carbon intensity energyafforded by alternative, renewable energy sources.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, Applicants recognized thatconsiderable renewable wind power 218, solar power 216, or both 217 isavailable and currently generated in the central portion 212 of theUnited States, where there is high potential for supplying such lowcarbon intensity energy resources. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, Applicantsalso recognized that the central portion 212 of the United States housesa large number of biomass processing facilities, which produce cornethanol 253, renewable diesel 251, 253, oil extraction from corn 253,beans 251, 253 and seeds, and renewable natural gas. As used herein,renewable natural gas is natural gas that is derived from thedecomposition of organic wastes materials, such as food, animal, andagricultural wastes, garden and lawn clippings, organic materials inlandfills, and waste paper, cardboard and wood products. Moreover,conventional hydrocarbon refineries are also present and co-located inthe central portion 212 of the United States.

FIG. 2A also shows that the state of California 214 leads the currentdemand for low carbon fuels with its enacted low-carbon fuel standard(LCFS), which mandates a reduction in the carbon intensity oftransportation fuels as compared to conventional petroleum fuels, i.e.,gasoline and diesel, in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.California has defined the carbon intensity (CI) of a fuel as thelifecycle GHG emissions per unit of transportation energy. This carbonintensity parameter is typically expressed in grams of carbon dioxideequivalent per mega Joule (gCO₂eq/MJ); however other units of measuremay be used, e.g., gCO₂eq/bbl oil, with a standard conversion factorbeing used, e.g., to convert between barrels of oil and the energy valuethereof. LCFS credits are assigned to transportation fuels based ontheir low carbon intensity. A sufficient number of such LCFS credits arethen required to be in compliance with the LCFS program each year.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, several other states, predominately in thenorthwest portion 213 and northeast portion 215 of the United States,may soon enact such LCFS-type legislative mandates or have the potentialto experience an increased consumer demand for low carbon fuels. Thus,as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, and as recognized by Applicants, much of thesupply of renewable energy sources must be transported or transmittedfrom where they are produced in the central portion 212 of United Statesto the locations where they are desired, i.e., the West Coast and EastCoast. The transportation and/or transmission of these low carbon fuelsupplies to consumers located remotely therefrom, especially with highercarbon intensity energy, often at least partially offsets the low carbonintensity fuels afforded by the renewable energy sources.

FIG. 3A illustrates the progression of carbon intensity lowering effortswith respect to the production of transportation fuels. As shown on thefar left, conventional refineries 268 used fossil fuels 270 with littleregard to lowering carbon intensity. As shown in the middle, more recentefforts to increase energy efficiency, and reduce cost, through the useof co-generation 272 of power and steam, the use of heat exchangenetworks 274 to reduce heating and cooling utility requirements, haveresulted in the overall reduction of fossil fuel usage in refining andthus the carbon intensity of the refining process, as well as emissionsintroduced to the atmosphere 266. As shown on the far right, and asdisclosed in one or more embodiment of the present disclosure, a moreholistic approach to reducing carbon intensity of transportation fuelproduction targets not only the refining portion of the process but alsotargets reductions in feedstock procurement 276, transportation 278 ofselected feedstocks to the refinery 268, feedstock and refined productstorage, and transportation 280 of refined product transportation fuelto an end user location 282, in essence, the entire lifecycle ofproviding a transportation fuel to an end user.

FIG. 3B illustrates, as noted above and as disclosed in one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, a more holistic approach toreducing carbon intensity, as well as limiting emission of certainchemicals into the atmosphere 266. Chemicals introduced into theatmosphere 266 as a result of a transportation fuel production mayinclude carbon dioxide (CO₂) 289, methane (CH₄) 290, nitrous oxide (N₂O)291, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) 294, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 292,perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) 293, and/or other chemicals, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. As a more holistic approach tocarbon intensity is sought, the carbon intensity of each process orstage in a transportation fuel production (e.g., indirect and directprocesses or stages) may be considered to target carbon intensityreduction. As such, the carbon intensity associated with a wellhead 286and/or biodiesel plant 288 may be considered for targeted carbonintensity reductions (in other words, an indirect process or stage inrelation to the refinery). In other words, carbon intensity reductionsmay be sought via selections of different wellheads 286, biodieselplants 288, and/or other feedstock sources. The carbon intensity offeedstock transportation pathways 287 (such as vehicular, rail, marine,or pipeline transportation) may be considered for targeted carbonintensity reductions (in other words, an indirect process or stage inrelation to the refinery). Further, the carbon intensity at the refinery268 may be considered for targeted carbon intensity reductions, such asby heat integration, refinery process unit reduction, and/or capacityincreases. Such refinery processes may be considered direct processes orstages in relation to the refinery. The carbon intensity for otherprocesses or stages may be considered for carbon intensity reduction,such as blending processes 285 (e.g., indirect), utilities 283 (e.g.,indirect) to operate refinery processes at the refinery 268, and/or fuelproduct distribution pathways 284 for transportation of a refinedproduct transportation fuel to an end user location 282 (e.g.,indirect).

FIG. 4 illustrates a novel implementation 300 of a low carbon intensityenergy strategy in which lower carbon intensity energy 308, 311 isintegrated into the procurement and refining of transportation fuelfeedstocks 306 as well as the distribution of resulting product fuels tolocations 304 accessible to end users. Such integration of lower carbonintensity energy 308, 311 in the selection, acquisition, and refining offeedstocks and distribution of resulting products lowers the overallcarbon intensity of conventional transportation and other refinedproducts made available to the end user and/or consumer 302. Thus,Applicants recognized that a similar low carbon benefit to the directuse of alternative, renewable energy sources by the consumer (seeFIG. 1) could be achieved by integrating the use of such low carbonenergy in the processing of feedstocks to create conventional refinedproducts that would ultimately by used by the consumer 302 throughtraditional liquid fuel pathways, e.g., fuels purchased at retailoutlets (e.g., locations 304 accessible to end users). As illustrated inFIG. 4, low carbon intensity renewable power 308 is generated at windfarms, solar farms, geothermal power plants/facilities, and/orhydroelectric facilities. Rather than transmitting this electrical powerover long distances directly to an end user and/or consumer 302, therenewable power is integrated near its generation into transportationfuel production processes, that may include the acquisition oftransportation fuel feedstocks 306 and the processing of thosefeedstocks into fuel products at conventional refineries and otherpoints of integration 316. Acquisition activities in which renewableelectric power may be employed are far ranging and may include theproduction of crude oils from wells by pumps and other productionequipment powered by the renewable electric power. Other acquisitionactivities may also include use of renewable electric power in electricpower vehicles and/or pipeline pumps to transport the produced crude tothe refinery 316. Further, renewable electric power may be used inelectric power vehicles and/or pipeline pumps to transport the refinedtransportation fuel products to distribution points or locations 304accessible by the end user and/or consumer 302.

Rather than being transported directly to consumers by truck and/orpipeline, renewable natural gas produced at waste facilities (e.g.,lower carbon intensity energy 311) may also be integrated closer to itsproduction. Similar to renewable electric power, renewable natural gasmay be used to acquire transportation fuel feedstocks 306 and processthose feedstocks into fuel products at conventional refineries and otherpoints of integration 316. By way of example, and not limitation, suchrenewable natural gas may be burned in refinery fired heaters or used togenerate refinery steam through renewable natural gas-fed boilers.Further, the renewable natural gas may be burned to power pumps forcrude oil extraction and used in natural gas powered transportationmodes, e.g., truck, rail, barge, etc., to transport feedstocks and/orfinished transportation fuels.

Other alternative, low carbon intensity intermediates or intermediariesmay be employed and integrated into the processing of transportationfuels and other refined products to lower the overall carbon intensityof the product fuels. For example, biodiesel may be generated from oneor more renewable energy sources, e.g., soybeans, for blending into therefined transportation fuel. Such biodiesel generation may occur inclose proximity to or co-located with a refinery. In one or moreembodiments, such biodiesel may be transported to a blending location bytruck, rail or barge that employs a low carbon intensity fuel, such asrenewable natural gas, renewable diesel, or renewable electric power.Another alternative, low carbon intensity intermediate may includeethanol that is derived from corn and/or other plant-based materials.The blending location for these alternative, low carbon intensityintermediates may include the refined transportation fuel storage tanksat the refinery or at a downstream storage facility, the transportationmode for the refined transportation fuels, the terminal or rack for thedistribution of the refined transportation fuels, or even at the retailoutlet. Once at the blending location, the biodiesel, ethanol, or otherlow CI intermediate may be blended into the refined transportation fuelproducts to create the final transportation fuel.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, by employing low carbon energy sources togenerate conventional liquid transportation fuels, the higher carbonintensity fuel feedstocks, e.g., fossil fuels, are lowered in carbonintensity. These conventional, lower carbon intensity liquidtransportation fuels, which are verifiably lower in carbon emissions,are then transported and delivered to distribution points, such as aretail outlet or other locations 304 accessible to end users, forconventional purchase by the consumer 302. Thus, the consumer 302 is notrequired to purchase or use any special equipment, e.g., an electric ornatural gas-powered vehicle, to realize the advantage of low carbonenergy sources that may be far removed in distance from the consumer302, because such low carbon energy sources have been integrated intopurchased liquid transportation fuels.

FIG. 5 illustrates another novel implementation 400 of a low carbonintensity energy strategy in which lower carbon intensity energy 408,411 is integrated into the procurement and refining of transportationfuel feedstocks 406, e.g., at conventional refineries and other pointsof integration 416. Such integration is the same as that illustrated anddescribed with respect to FIG. 4 and is not repeated herein. Similarly,other low carbon intensity intermediates, e.g. naphtha, biomasspyrolysis oil, may be integrated into the processing of conventionaltransportation fuels and other refined products to lower the overallcarbon intensity of the product fuels. However, as shown in FIG. 5, theresulting low carbon intensity transportation fuel products support theexisting renewable energy infrastructure 410 and are transported tolocations 404 accessible to end users and/or consumers 402. In this way,the existing renewable energy infrastructure 410 also benefits from theuse of renewable energy, e.g., wind power, solar power, geothermalpower, etc. as well as low carbon intensity feedstock/intermediateselections, e.g., biomass feedstock, naphtha, biomass pyrolysis oil,etc. As example only, low carbon intensity transportation fuels andother refined products provided through this strategy may be used to atleast partially construct and provide the renewable energyinfrastructure 410, e.g., electric-powered vehicles, natural gas-poweredvehicles, dedicated charging/refueling stations, to permit the customerand/or consumer 402 to take advantage of the renewable energy. Further,low carbon intensity fuels obtained from an integrated refinery 416 maybe necessary to partially, if not fully, produce renewable energy, suchas renewable diesel, low carbon intensity blending fuels (e.g.,biodiesel and ethanol), and transport the renewable energy todistribution points accessible by the end user and/or consumer 402.Thus, low carbon intensity transportation fuels produced through theintegration of renewable energy and/or low carbon intensity feedstocksmay benefit the current range of transportation fuel options from purerenewables supplied directly to the consumer to more conventional—butlow carbon intensity—liquid transportation fuels, such as gasoline,diesel and aviation fuels.

One aspect of the novel strategy disclosed herein is that it may beimplemented with lower cost, greater ease, and with less risk. Anexpectation that a majority of consumers could be expected to purchaseelectric powered or natural gas powered vehicles to take advantage ofrenewable electric power and/or renewable natural gas has a highimplementation risk in the face of cheaper conventional high carbonintensity fuels. Further, the implementation of an independent anddedicated renewable energy infrastructure to service all or even amajority of consumers is difficult at best, and uncertain, especiallywhen distribution points for conventional fuels are ubiquitous. FIG. 6presents a graph 500 of cost versus implementation risk for various lowcarbon intensity fuels and LCFS applications. The difficulty or risk ofimplementation increases from left to right along the x-axis while thecost increases from bottom to top along the y-axis. Overlaying the graphare two ellipses 520, 525, which roughly group the low carbon intensityfuel and the LCFS applications. The low carbon intensity fuels optionsinclude, but are not limited to, hydrocarbon liquid fuels 521, cornethanol 522, renewable diesel 523, renewable power/RNG 524. Of these,low carbon intensity hydrocarbon liquid fuels 521 are the least costly,easiest to implement, and have the lowest risk, because conventional andwidespread infrastructure already exists for the use of hydrocarbonliquid fuels. The cost, difficulty/risk of implementation, and riskincrementally increases for each of corn ethanol 522, renewable diesel523, and renewable power/RNG 524.

In California, where a LCFS program has already been enacted, the LCFSapplications provided on FIG. 5 are recognized as directly or indirectlymeeting the requirements of the LCFS program. These LCFS applicationsinclude, but are not limited to, renewable diesel, renewable power/RNG524, power transmission 526, charging infrastructure 527, power storage528, and electric vehicle (EV) fleet 529. As shown, an electric vehicle(EV) fleet 529 represents the costliest, most difficult to implement,and riskiest of all of the low carbon fuel 520 and LCFS 525 optionspresented. The widespread and/or unconventional infrastructure needed toimplement an effective EV fleet is at least partially responsible forits higher cost, difficulty of implementation, and greater risk. Thecost, difficulty of implementation, and overall risk incrementallydecreases for each of power storage 528, charging infrastructure 527,power transmission 526, renewable power/RNG 524, and renewable diesel523. As shown on FIG. 5, the low CI fuel ellipse 520 and the LCFSellipse 525 each overlap such that renewable diesel and renewablepower/RNG are commonly grouped in both categories. Renewable diesel andrenewable power/RNG both are low carbon intensity fuels and meet therequirements of LCFS as enacted.

FIG. 6 illustrates that applications that have been defined as meetingthe requirements of LCFS generally have greater expense and have greaterrisk or difficulty in implementation than those applications grouped aslow carbon intensity fuels. Applicants recognized that the LCFSapplications that meet the LCFS program requirements largely depend onrenewable electrical power, renewable natural gas, renewable diesel andthat the benefits of low carbon intensity energy may be realized withoutgreat expense and without great risk or difficulty in implementationthrough the integration of low carbon energy and feedstocks into theproduction of low carbon intensity fuels as disclosed in one or moreembodiments herein. Thus, conventional higher carbon intensitytransportation fuels may be converted to conventional lower carbonintensity transportation fuels with carbon intensities that have been atleast partially offset by the lower carbon intensities of these LCFSrecognized alternative, renewable energies. Further, such low carbonconventional liquid transportation fuels may be readily purchased fromtraditional retail outlets, such as convenience stores, without theconsumer needing to purchase special vehicles and/or equipment, e.g., anEV fleet 529, charging infrastructure 527, power storage 528, etc., totake advantage of low carbon intensity energy afforded by alternative,renewable energy sources.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a flow diagram 600 for low carbonintensity energy production in which lower carbon energy sources areintegrated during the procurement and refining of higher carbonintensity feedstocks into lower carbon intensity fuels along with thetransportation of the resulting lower carbon intensity fuels to alocation accessible to the end user. As a first step, one or morefeedstocks are selected for refining or other processing intoconventional liquid transportation fuels. Such feedstocks may beselected from conventional sources, such as crude oils, or fromalternative sources, such as soybeans, corn, rendered fats (tallow),etc. The crude oils may further be selected by geographical location,which may be indicative of their physical properties (e.g., light,medium, heavy crude) and thus refining difficulty, or by method ofprocurement, such as offshore, onshore, tar sand, etc. In one or moreembodiments, feedstocks may be chosen in part based on their innate orinherent carbon intensity, which is expressed as grams of carbon dioxideequivalent per mega joule. Because thefeedstock-converted-to-transportation fuel will ultimately be combustedto produce transportation energy, carbon dioxide and water, it isdesired to start with feedstocks that yield high energy but have lowcarbon emissions. In other words, desirable feedstocks may include thosethat have an innate low carbon intensity or low grams of carbon dioxideequivalent evolved per mega joule of energy released as transportationenergy. As noted earlier, this inherent carbon intensity of the rawfeedstock may be the largest contributor to the overall carbon intensityof the final transportation fuel. For example, a heavy crude oil mayhave a high inherent carbon intensity such that even without anyproduction or processing emissions, the carbon intensity of the finaltransportation fuel would be above a pre-selected threshold. In suchcase, carbon sequestration or some other carbon dioxide removal stepsmay be needed to offset the added carbon intensity incurred byprocessing the heavy crude oil. For this reason, the selection of thefeedstock often sets the degrees of freedom or ability of the refiner toemploy processing steps to permit the refined transportation fuel tosatisfy a particular carbon intensity requirement. In one or moreembodiments, the carbon intensity of the raw feedstock may be combinedwith the carbon intensity of procuring the raw feedstock, such that thecarbon intensity of the feedstock is the cumulative carbon intensity totake possession of the feedstock at the source. In such case, the carbonintensity of the raw feedstock may be determined separately as known bythose skilled in the art, e.g., from the literature, by calculation ofstoichiometric combustion, by experiment, etc., such that the carbonintensity of the procurement (i.e., obtaining) itself may be understoodapart from the carbon intensity of the feedstock. Alternative methods ofprocurement of the raw feedstock may then be assessed and selected toreduce the overall carbon intensity of the feedstock available at thesource. In one or more embodiments, the inherent or innate carbonintensity of the transportation fuel itself, such as gasoline, diesel,aviation fuel, etc. (rather than the raw feedstock) is determined andthe carbon intensities of processing steps to achieve suchtransportation fuel are either added to or subtracted from the carbonintensity of the fuel.

As shown in FIG. 7, the feedstock may be chosen from one or more of acrude oil 630 or a plant/animal-derived biomass 631. In addition to theinnate carbon intensity of the feedstock, the carbon intensity of theprocessing to ready the feedstock for transport to the refinery or otherprocessing facility should be considered. For example, with respect tocrude oil, the production of the crude oil from one subterraneanformation may be conducted at a much more energy intensive—and thushigher carbon intensity—manner than from another subterranean formation.In Know Your Oil, Gordan et. al. provide representative carbonintensities for various crude oil procurement methods. These carbonintensities range from approximately 450 kilograms of carbon dioxideequivalent per barrel for light crudes (e.g., minimal production effort)to greater than 800 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per barrelfor extra heavy crudes (e.g., which may be obtained from tar sands).Gordan et al. also gives carbon intensities for the procurement of crudeoils from specific geographical locations. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that carbon intensities may also be obtained from theliterature, e.g., the California Air Resources Board athttps://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/lcfs-crude-oil-life-cycle-assessment,for the procurement of other crude oils. Thus, the carbon intensity ofproducing one crude versus another must be accounted for in the overallcarbon intensity of using the selected crude oil. Similarly, the energyintensity of producing the biomass for ultimate biofuels must beconsidered. Whether the biomass is a pure waste product that would belandfilled and thus has no added carbon intensity or is specificallygrown at higher carbon intensity (e.g., planting, fertilizing,harvesting, etc.) must be accounted for in the overall carbon intensityof the selected biomass. Those skilled in the art will also appreciatethat carbon intensities for biomass and alternative feedstocks may bereadily obtained from the literature, e.g., the California Air ResourcesBoard athttps://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/lcfs-pathway-certified-carbon-intensities,etc.

Once a feedstock is selected, the mode of transportation may be selectedat 632 to transport the crude oil 630 or biomass 631 to the refinery orother processing facility. Selection of a transportation mode 632 isdependent on several considerations. First, the distance between thesource of the feedstock and the refinery or other processing facilitywill contribute to the overall carbon intensity of transporting thefeedstock. For example, a Middle East crude will contribute a highercarbon intensity than a locally sourced crude on the basis oftransportation distance alone. Second, the mode of transportation willalso contribute to the overall carbon intensity of transporting thefeedstock. For example, the amount of carbon intensity contributed tothe overall carbon intensity of the fuel as a result of feedstocktransportation will depend on whether the feedstock is transported bytruck, rail, pipeline, ship/barge or other transportation model. Anadditional consideration and variable to be used in determining thecarbon intensity of the particular mode of transportation to be used totransport the feedstock is the carbon intensity of the transportationfuel used in such transport. For example, a renewable diesel contributesa much lower carbon intensity to the overall carbon intensity of thetransportation mode at 632 than would a conventional higher carbonintensity transportation fuel, such as diesel or gasoline. In one ormore embodiments, the feedstock may be transported by truck, barge/ship,and/or rail (i.e., railroad) powered at least in part by one or more ofrenewable diesel, a renewable energy source (e.g., electric powergenerated by wind energy, solar energy, geothermal powerplants/facilities, and/or a hydroelectric dam/generator), or a lowcarbon intensity transportation fuel. In one or more embodiments, thefeedstock may alternatively, or in addition, be transported by pipelineusing pumps that are powered at least in part by one or more ofrenewable diesel, a renewable power source (e.g., electric powergenerated by wind energy, solar energy, geothermal powerplants/facilities, and/or a hydroelectric dam/generator), or a lowcarbon intensity transportation fuel. Thus, distance, mode, and modefuel are variables that may be selected to minimize the carbon intensityattributed to the overall carbon intensity of the transportation fuelproduct as a result of transporting feedstock to the refinery or otherprocessing facility.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the feedstock is received at the refineryand/or processing facility at 633. The feedstock may need to be storedon-site for a period of time until it is refined or processed. Suchstorage is represented by block 633 and may include large tanks for thestorage of crude oil, pyrolysis oil, naphtha, etc. and/or buildings forthe storage of soybeans, tallow, corn, etc. The storage of crude oil andliquid hydrocarbons may cause volatile organic compound (VOC) emissionsthrough working losses, breathing losses, and flashing losses. Workinglosses may occur as vapor is displaced from a tank or other storagevessel when the crude or other liquid hydrocarbon moves into a space,e.g., tank filling. Breathing losses are emissions resulting fromchanges in temperature and/or pressure over time. Flashing losses occurwhen a crude or other liquid hydrocarbon undergoes a pressure drop suchthat VOCs dissolved therein are flashed or released as gaseousemissions. These working losses, breathing losses, and flashing lossesshould be accounted for during hydrocarbon storage, because theycontribute to the overall carbon intensity of converting feedstocks intotransportation fuels as greenhouse gas emissions. Storage of crude oiland other volatile hydrocarbons should be controlled to minimize GHGemissions that contribute to the over carbon intensity of the feedstockto transportation fuel conversion.

After the feedstocks are received in the refinery or other processingfacility at 633, the feedstocks are refined or otherwise processed intotransportation fuels. However, certain refining processes may also beselected at 634 in conjunction with refining to minimize the carbonintensity of converting the feedstocks into transportation fuels andother refined products. As way of example and not limitation, therefining processes that may be selected to reduce carbon emissionsduring refinery operations include: powering at least a portion ofrefinery equipment (e.g., the refinery equipment includinghydrotreaters, distillation towers, vacuum towers, crackers, reformers,and/or any other equipment utilized at a refinery) with electricitygenerated by a renewable source (e.g., wind, solar, hydroelectric,geothermal etc.), burning renewable natural gas in refinery firedheaters, generating refinery steam through renewable natural gas-fedboilers, generating electricity at or proximate the refinery through theletdown of high pressure steam across a power turbine, increasing heatintegration across refinery processing units through a heat exchangernetwork, and/or reducing by one, two, three, or more the number ofrefinery processing units that refine the refinery feedstock (e.g., arefinery processing unit defined by groups or sections of refineryequipment utilized to refine the refinery feedstock). These refineryoperations represent steps in the conversion process where low carbonintensity energy, such as renewable electric power, renewable naturalgas, and/or renewable diesel, may be integrated to lower the overallcarbon intensity of the resulting transportation fuel. Reducing thenumber of refining processing units that refine the refinery feedstockrecognizes that a lower carbon intensity for the final transportationfuel may generally be obtained through reduced processing. One, two,three, four, or more of these refinery operation may be selected toachieve targeted reductions in carbon intensity through the refining andprocessing of feedstocks into transportations fuels, such as gasoline,diesel, and aviation fuel. While significant energy usage is required toconvert feedstocks such as crude oil and/or biomass into transportationfuels, there are several refinery operations that may be employed toreduce this energy usage by at least a fraction. This then reduces theamount of high carbon intensity fossil fuels that must be combusted tosupply such energy and thus lowers the carbon dioxide (and othergreenhouse gas) emissions and carbon intensity of transforming feedstockto refined transportation fuel.

The selected refinery processes 635 are operated in conjunction withrefining the crude oil and/or processing the biomass 636 (e.g.,soybeans, corn, tallow, pyrolysis oil, etc.) to reduce the overallcarbon intensity of the refining process. The refined and/or blendedproducts may need to be stored on-site at the refinery for a period oftime until transported. Such storage is represented by block 637 and mayinclude a plurality of tanks for the storage of gasoline, diesel,aviation fuel and other transportation fuels. As with crude oil, suchstorage may cause volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions throughworking losses, breathing losses, and flashing losses. These workinglosses, breathing losses, and flashing losses should be accounted forand minimized during refined fuel storage 637, because they contributeto the overall carbon intensity of converting feedstocks intotransportation fuels as greenhouse gas emissions.

After the transportation fuel is refined, the mode of transportation maybe selected at 638 to transport the refined transportation fuel productsto a location accessible to the end user, such as a retail outlet,convenience store, etc. Again, selection of a transportation mode 638 isdependent on several considerations. The distance between the refineryor other processing facility and the distribution location to the enduser will contribute to the overall carbon intensity of transporting thefinished transportation fuel. Second, the mode of transportation—bytruck, rail, pipeline, ship/barge, or a combination thereof—will alsocontribute to the overall carbon intensity of transporting the finishedtransportation fuel. Further, the transportation fuel used in suchtransport is an additional variable that must be managed to minimizeadded carbon intensity from whatever mode of transportation is selected.For example, a renewable diesel contributes a much lower carbonintensity to the overall carbon intensity of the transportation mode at638 than would a conventional higher carbon intensity transportationfuel, such as diesel or gasoline. In one or more embodiments, one ormore of the plurality of refined products may be transported by truck,barge/ship, and/or rail (i.e., railroad) powered at least in part by oneor more of renewable diesel, a renewable energy source (e.g., electricpower generated by wind energy, solar energy, geothermal powerplants/facilities, and/or a hydroelectric dam/generator), or a lowcarbon intensity transportation fuel. In one or more embodiments, one ormore of the plurality of refined products may alternatively, or inaddition, be transported by pipeline using pumps that are powered atleast in part by one or more of renewable diesel, a renewable powersource (e.g., electric power generated by wind energy, solar energy,geothermal power plants/facilities, and/or a hydroelectricdam/generator), or a low carbon intensity transportation fuel. Thus,distance, mode, and mode fuel are variables that may be selected tominimize the carbon intensity attributed to the overall carbon intensityof the transportation fuel product as a result of transporting finishedtransportation fuel products from the refinery or other processingfacility to one or more distribution locations accessible to the enduser/consumer.

In block 639, the carbon intensity of the transportation fuel iscalculated as a function of one or more of: the carbon emissions perunit energy associated with procuring the selected refinery feedstock atthe source (e.g., this may be the combined carbon intensity of the rawfeedstock and the procurement thereof), the carbon emissions per unitenergy associated with transporting the selected refinery feedstock fromthe source to the refinery, the carbon emissions per unit energyassociated with storing the selected refinery feedstock, the carbonemissions per unit energy associated with refining the refineryfeedstock into one or more of a plurality of refined products (e.g.,gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, etc.), the carbon emissions per unitenergy reduction(s) associated with optionally operating two or more ofthe selected refinery processes (i.e., to reduce carbon emissions andthus carbon intensity), the carbon emissions per unit energy associatedwith storing one or more of the refined products as transportation fuel,the carbon emissions associated with transporting one or more of therefined products to a distribution location accessible to the user. Inone or more embodiments, the carbon emissions per unit energy (or carbonintensity) of the feedstock is a variable of the function that isdetermined apart from the carbon emissions per unit energy (or carbonintensity) of the procurement (i.e., obtaining) of the feedstock, suchthat different procurement steps may be selected for a given feedstock.The carbon intensity of the transportation fuel may be further increased(or decreased) by additional processing and blending steps, as discussedinfra, including, but not limited to, the carbon intensity associatedwith the production and blending of biodiesel and/or ethanol into thefinal transportation fuel. The total carbon emissions per unit energy orcarbon intensity is the sum of the carbon emissions per unit energy foreach step of the process from feedstock to final transportation fuel(including any blending) delivered to the distribution location. Thecarbon intensity associated with each of the above-described steps,e.g., from transportation of feedstock, to refining of the feedstock, tothe distribution of the transportation fuel to the retail outlet, etc.,may be individually determined as known by those skilled in the art,e.g., from the literature, by calculation of stoichiometric combustionand/or emissions release for each step, by experimentation, etc., suchthat the carbon intensity of the variations and/or options for each stepmay be compared and considered.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the carbon intensityof the transportation fuel is based on the yield of the transportationfuel from the feedstock. For example, if a feedstock yields 30% gasolineand 70% other refined products, then 30% of the carbon intensityassociated with procuring, transporting, and refining the feedstock as awhole is attributed to the carbon intensity of the gasolinetransportation fuel. If the CI of the feedstock and the associated CIsof the processing steps of the feedstock are known, then the CIattributable to the refined transportation fuel, such as gasoline, isthe product of the summed CIs (of the feedstock and the processingsteps) and the yield of the refined transportation fuel. In one or moreembodiments, the carbon intensity of those processing steps involvingonly the refined fuel, e.g., distribution, storage emissions, etc., maybe determined and considered in the total CI without respect to yieldsince only the refined fuel product is involved in those steps.Alternatively, the carbon intensity of those processing steps involvingonly the refined fuel may be determined as a function of the feedstocksuch that the CI attributable to the refined transportation fuel forthese steps is the product of the feedstock carbon intensity and theyield of the refined transportation fuel. In one or more embodiments,the yield of the refined product (for a particular feedstock) and/or theCI of the feedstock may be adjusted to account for the emissionsassociated with or volume of emissions associated with one or morenon-transportation fuel products that are refined from the commonfeedstock. Thus, knowing the yield of the refined product (i.e., the oneor more transportation fuels) from the selected feedstock, those skilledin the art will appreciate that the carbon intensity of thetransportation fuel may be reduced or minimized from the point of viewof reducing carbon emissions per unit energy of the feedstock and/or thepoint of view of reducing carbon emissions per unit energy of therefined product as the transportation fuel. Regardless of how thethreshold is pre-selected—by regulation, by end user/customer demand, orby marketing strategy—the total carbon emissions per unit energy orcarbon intensity of the transportation fuel is determined and verifiedto be below the total carbon intensity threshold.

A record of at least the total carbon intensity is maintained at block641 for each particular volume of finished transportation fuel providedto the end user, e.g., at an accessible distribution point. The recorddetails the determined total carbon emissions per unit energy forproviding the final transportation fuel to the distribution locationaccessible to the end user. The record may also contain the carbonemission per unit energy for each step in the entire process ofconverting feedstock into finished transportation fuel for verificationand auditing purposes.

Finally, the quantity of finished transportation fuel, e.g., gasoline,diesel, aviation fuel, etc. is outputted at block 642 though thedistribution mode or transport pathway as selected at 638 as averifiable, low carbon intensity transportation fuel. Thistransportation fuel may be transported and delivered to a distributionlocation, e.g., a retail outlet, convenience store, etc., that isaccessible to the end user.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a control system 700 for managinglow carbon intensity energy production, as represented by the flowdiagram 755. The controller 750 of system 700, which includes aprocessor 760 and memory 762, uses certain inputs 752 and providescertain outputs 754 relative to the low carbon intensity energyproduction. These inputs 752 may include, but are not limited to, rawenergy data regarding each production step, the carbon intensity ofstandard refinery processing steps, the definition of a low carbonintensity fuel in total grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule, algorithms for calculating carbon emissions for various processsteps, yields of refined products based on the feedstock(s), and/orcarbon emissions for process steps not determined by the controller 750.

Responsive to these inputs 752, controller 750 may perform severalfunctions. In one or more embodiments, the controller 750 may receiveraw process data from which the carbon emissions for each productionstep may be determined, and then determines the carbon emissionsassociated with that production step on a grams of carbon dioxideequivalent per mega joule basis. The controller 750 may also select oneor more transportation and/or refinery processes to achieve a desiredreduction in carbon emissions. For example, the controller 750 mayselect one or more transportation pathways to the exclusion of otherviable transportation pathways in order to reduce the grams of carbondioxide equivalent per mega joule for the material transported. Thecontroller 750 may similarly select one or more refinery processes toachieve reductions in carbon emissions. These refinery processingreductions in carbon emissions may be as much as about 5%, about 10%,about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, or more as compared to standardrefinery processing steps. In at least one embodiment, the controller750 may verify the carbon emissions for each selected production stepand generate an audit record with the total carbon intensity, e.g.,grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule, for all productionsteps from feedstock being acquired from its source to the finishedtransportation fuels delivered to their distribution locations, i.e.,from crude at the wellhead to gasoline/diesel/aviation fuel delivered tothe end user.

Outputs 754 from the controller 750 may be displayed through a graphicaluser interface positioned at the refinery and/or at remote locations,such as at feedstock sources, transportation hubs, etc. These outputs754 may include, but are not limited to, the selection and control oftransportation and/or refinery processes, the determined carbonemissions (or emissions volume) for each possible production step, theverified carbon emissions for each selected production step, and/or anaudit record detailing the total carbon intensity, e.g., grams of carbondioxide equivalent per mega joule, for the complete production ofdistributed transportation fuel from selected feedstocks. In one or moreembodiments, the audit record may list the carbon emissions for eachproduction step so the total carbon intensity for the completeproduction of the transportation fuel may be verified. In one or moreembodiments, controller 750 sends signals to process equipment, e.g.pumps, boiler, furnaces, etc. at the refinery or processing facility toimplement the controller-determined strategy to achieve a low carbontransportation fuel production. In one or more embodiments, thecontroller 750 may send signals to acquire certain feedstocks, totransport one or more feedstocks, to store the one or more feedstocks,to store refined/processed products, and to transport one or more ofthose products to distribution locations.

FIG. 8 provides flow diagram 755 summarizing the flow diagram 600 ofFIG. 7. As described herein, several production step variables accountfor low carbon intensity energy production. As shown, the feedstock maybe selected from one or more crude oils at 730 and/or plant/animal-basedfeedstocks at 731, each at various locations relative to the refinery orprocessing facility. The feedstocks may be selected, at least in part,on the basis of their innate carbon intensity when combusted, asmeasured by grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule.Alternatively, and in addition, the feedstocks may be selected on thebasis of the carbon intensity associated with their procurement oracquisition at the source. The selection of one or more procurementtransportation modes 732 to transport such feedstock to the refinery orprocessing facilities increases the carbon emissions associated with theselected feedstock. These carbon emissions may be reduced by selectinglower carbon emission options from one or more of trucks, rail, pipelineor ship/barge, depending on the availability of such transportationmodes and the distance to be transported. Other transportation modevariables include the type of transportation fuel used, e.g., a highcarbon intensity fuel versus a renewable, low carbon intensity fuel. Forexample, renewable diesel may be used in trucks, trains, andships/barges. However, renewable diesel and/or renewable electricalpower may be used to operate pipeline pumps.

At the refinery or feedstock processing facility, refining and/orprocessing steps 735 are conducted to transform the feedstocks intoliquid transportation fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and/or aviationfuel. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the feedstocksare refined into several other transportation fuels (liquefied naturalgas, propane, butane, etc.) and non-transportation fuels(petrochemicals, asphalts, etc.). Each of these refined products mayhave its total carbon intensity reduced by the processes and systemsdisclosed herein. With respect to the refining of transportation fuels,the choice of refining and/or processing steps is largely dependent,however, on the properties and quantities of both the selectedfeedstocks and the desired transportation fuels. Thus, while therefining and/or processing steps are themselves variables, they alsodepend at least in part on other variables. Each of the refining and/orprocessing steps for a particular feedstock or intermediate hasassociated carbon emissions that increase the carbon intensity of itsproduct, as measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule. Responsive to input data, controller 750 determines the carbonintensity added for each refining and/or processing step, which isdependent on other variables, e.g., feedstock selection, desired productslate and properties.

The refining and/or processing steps 735 may have at least some of theircarbon emissions offset such that their products have a lower carbonintensity than without the offset. For example, refinery and otherprocesses that are driven by low carbon energy sources, such asrenewables, may offset the higher carbon emissions of standard refiningand/or processing steps. These offsetting processes may include one ormore of: producing electrical power for the benefit of the refinerythrough renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, andhydroelectric, employing renewable fuels such as renewable diesel andrenewable natural gas in refinery boilers and fired heaters, increasinghigh pressure steam production at the refinery with strategic letdown,e.g., over a steam turbine, to provide steam at the desired pressure andadded electrical power, applying heat integration techniques over aplurality of refinery processing units to minimize utility requirements,reducing by at least one or more the number of refinery processing unitsthat refine the refinery feedstock, using low carbon intensity fuels forheat generation in the refinery, etc.

One or more distribution transportation modes 738 must also be selectedto transport the final transportation fuel to a distribution locationaccessible to the end user. As with the transport of feedstocks, thetransport of refined products increases the carbon emissions associatedwith the transportation fuel provided to the end user. These carbonemissions may be reduced by selecting lower carbon emission options fromone or more of trucks, rail, pipeline or ship/barge, depending on theavailability of such transportation modes and the distance to betransported. The type of transportation fuel used, e.g., a high carbonintensity fuel versus a renewable, low carbon intensity fuel, is anothervariable for each transportation mode that may be selected to reduce thecarbon emissions associated with this production step. Finally, theliquid transportation fuel is made available to the end user at one ormore distribution locations 742, such as retail outlets, conveniencestores, etc. There, the liquid transportation fuel resides in a tank,e.g., an underground storage tank, until purchased by the consumer. Theconsumer then combusts the liquid transportation fuel, e.g., in anengine, which in many cases releases the majority of the carbonemissions associated with the transportation production lifecycle—fromraw feedstock to finished low carbon emissions transportation fuel.

FIG. 9 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition of highercarbon intensity feedstocks, the refining of those feedstocks into lowercarbon intensity fuels, and the distribution of the lower carbonintensity fuels to a retail outlet for purchase by the end user. Theflow diagram 800 is similar to the flow diagrams of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.Selected crude 830 and/or plant/animal-based feedstocks 831 aretransported via various transportation modes 832, which may include oneor more of truck, rail, marine or pipeline transport. The transport modemay be selected to further limit carbon emissions by employing lowcarbon intensity fuels, such as renewable diesel, renewable natural gas,petroleum natural gas, etc. In one or more embodiments, the transportedfeed stocks are stored in tanks or facilities 833. The manner and lengthof time of such storage may be selected so as to decrease the carbonemissions resulting from storage.

The stored feedstocks are then refined and/or processed 835 (e.g., at arefinery, bioprocessing facility, etc.) through conventional processingsteps, each of which increases (or in some situations decreases) thecarbon emissions attributable to the refined/processed materials.However, as described previously, certain refinery processes may beemployed to decrease the carbon emissions with respect to conventionalprocessing steps. The most numerous of these carbon intensity reducingprocessing steps are associated with the utility infrastructure 860. Inaddition to the feedstock, refineries and/or biomass processingfacilities largely depend on various utilities, including electricalpower 864, fuel 862 (e.g., natural gas, diesel, refined intermediates),water/steam 863, and hydrogen 861, to operate. As shown in FIG. 8, thereare several options for providing these required utilities with lowercarbon intensity than they may otherwise normally be supplied. Forexample, electrical power 864 may be supplied by wind turbines 871,solar arrays 896, and/or renewable natural gas 868. Similarly, thepumping and treatment of water and the generation of steam may employenergy obtained from wind turbines 871, solar arrays 896, renewablenatural gas 868, and/or geothermal power plants/facilities. Renewablenatural gas may also be used along with one or more of renewable dieseland/or refinery intermediates as fuels for boilers and fired heaters.Hydrogen generation may be accomplished at lower carbon intensitythrough water electrolysis 866 and steam reforming 867. The electrolysis866 may be powered by electricity generated from wind turbines, solararrays, geothermal power plants/facilities, RNG-fired turbines, and/orRNG-produced steam letdown. The steam reforming may use renewablenatural gas and may further include carbon capture/sequestration forfurther reductions in carbon emissions. Carbon capture/sequestration mayalso be used anywhere in the refinery and/or processing facility thathydrocarbon fuels are combusted to carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxideis released to atmosphere as a by-product. Sequestering carbon dioxidethat otherwise would go to atmosphere may have a carbon emissionsneutral effect or even subtract from the carbon intensity of the fuelproduct associated with the carbon sequestration. As further shown inFIG. 9, block 835 may include heat integration and efficiencyimprovements as additional techniques to reduce the carbon emissionsattributable to converting feedstocks into transportation fuels.

In one or more embodiments, the refined products are stored in tanks orfacilities 837 prior to transport. The manner and length of time of suchstorage may be selected so as to decrease the carbon emissions resultingfrom storage. After storage, the refined products are transported viavarious transportation modes 838 to distribution or storage depot 843proximate the final distribution location 845, such as a retail outlet.The manner and length of time of such storage may be selected so as todecrease the carbon emissions resulting from storage. In one or moreembodiments, the refined products are transported directly to the finaldistribution location without intermediate storage 843. As with thefeedstock transportation 832, the transportation modes 838 for refinedproducts may include one or more of truck, rail, marine or pipelinetransport. The transport mode may be selected to further limit carbonemissions by employing low carbon intensity fuels, such as renewablediesel, renewable natural gas, regular natural gas, etc. Transportationfuels stored at distribution or storage depots 843 may then betransported the final mile to retail outlets, convenience stores, andother final distribution locations accessible to the end user consumer.

Downstream of the refining/processing step 835, biomass-derivedintermediates or fuels, such as corn-derived ethanol, biodiesel, etc.,may be blended at, e.g., storage 837, in the transportation mode 838(e.g. in barge, truck, railcar or pipeline), in storage 843 (e.g.terminal/rack), in the transportation mode 844, or even at the retailoutlet 845 to create a final transportation fuel formulation. Forexample, corn-derived ethanol may be processed from corn biomassfeedstock at a facility for blending into gasoline. Such use of lowercarbon intermediates, additives, and blending agents lowers the overallcarbon intensity of the resulting transportation fuel when the totalgrams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule is measured for theoverall process of providing low carbon intensity transportation fuelsto the end user. Such blending, and its possible carbon intensitylowering effect, should be considered in the determination of theoverall carbon intensity for providing the final transportation fuel tothe end user location 845.

FIG. 10 illustrates the general process, according to FIGS. 7 and 9 andas disclosed herein, to maintain the carbon intensity of atransportation fuel below a selected threshold subject to the selectionof a crude feedstock 873 and/or a renewable feedstock 872, thetransportation 874 of the selected feedstock, the storage 877 of thefeedstock, the refining of the feedstock into one or more refinedproducts at a refinery 879, the storage 883 of one or more refinedproducts, and the transportation 884 of one or more refined products astransportation fuel to a terminal/rack 885 for final distribution to aretail outlet 886. It should be noted that selection of crude oilfeedstock 873 may be based at least in part on the carbon intensity ofits production 889 (e.g., fracking, offshore, tar sand steaming, etc.)as well as the innate or inherent carbon intensity of the crude oil asit exists in the subterranean formation 890. Similarly, renewablefeedstock selection 872 may be based at least in part on the carbonintensity of its production 888 (e.g., fertilizing, feeding, harvesting,etc.) as well as the innate or inherent carbon intensity of the biomassfeedstock as it exists, e.g., at the farm, pre-production. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 10, plant- and animal-derived fuels, additives, andblending agents may be produced apart from refinery 879. For example, abiodiesel plant 880 may use tallow and/or soybean feedstocks 876 toproduce biodiesel 882. Moreover, an ethanol plant 878 may use cornand/or other plant-based feedstocks to produce ethanol 881. Thebiodiesel 882 and/or the ethanol 881 may then be blended into therefined products from refinery 879 in several blending locations,including at refined product storage tank 883, into barges, pipelines,rail cars, and trucks that transport 884 the refined products, at theterminal or rack 885, and even at tanks located at the retail outlet 886(e.g., into underground tanks), prior to combustion thereof in end userengines. The use of renewables such as ethanol and/or biodiesel mayfacilitate the lowering of the overall carbon intensity of the resultingtransportation fuel. Further, such fuels, additives, and blending agentsmay provide other benefits to the final transportation fuel, e.g., theimprovement of oxygen content, etc. However, the carbon intensity ofprocuring feedstocks for, producing, and then transporting such fuels,additives, and blending agents must all be considered and added to theoverall carbon intensity of the final transportation fuel to properlyassess their carbon intensity impact.

FIG. 11 provides a chart illustrating an optimization routine that maybe controller-operated to select various feedstock, transportation,storage, and refining and/or processing options in order to minimize thecarbon intensity of the resulting transportation fuels. The routineminimizes or reduces the carbon emissions (and thus the carbonintensity) of low carbon intensity transportation fuel production thatincludes the following steps: selecting a feedstock 980, transportingthe feedstock 981, storing the feedstock 982, processing the feedstockinto products at the refinery/bioprocessing facility 983, storing theproducts at the refinery/bioprocessing facility 984, transporting theproducts to a distribution hub or depot 986, storing the products at thedistribution hub or depot 987, transporting the products to a retailoutlet accessible to the consumer 988. The routine is subject to variousconstraints 989 including, but not limited to, customer demand for thetransportation fuels of desired grades and quantities. Those skilled inthe art will readily understand that one or more of the above steps maybe omitted from any given run of the routine, especially if that stepwill not be performed in the production of transportation fuels.

Each of the steps illustrated in FIG. 11 include one or more variablesthat may be represented as functions of one or more sub-variables. Withrespect to selecting a feedstock 980, variables or options include, butare not limited to, plant/animal-based feedstock and crude oil. Theselection of plant/animal-based feedstock may be dependent onsub-variables such as its carbon intensity, volume available, timing oravailability, energy intensity (energy per mass), specific properties,and/or location. The selection of a crude oil may be dependent onsub-variables such as its carbon intensity, volume available, timing oravailability, land or offshore sourcing, specific properties such assulfur content, location, and/or production method (conventional orunconventional). With respect to transporting the feedstock 981 andtransporting the products to a distribution hub or depot 986, variablesor options include, but are not limited to pipeline, marine vessel,rail, and truck transport. The selection of any one or more of theseoptions is dependent on sub-variables such as carbon intensity added bythe option, transport volume capabilities, and timing or availability.With respect to transporting the products to a retail outlet 988, oneoption is truck transport but such truck transport is dependent onseveral sub-variables including carbon intensity added (i.e., by way offuel used in transport), transport volume capabilities (i.e., differenttruck sizes), and timing or availability. With respect to storing thefeedstock 982, storing the products at the refinery/bioprocessingfacility 984, and storing the products at the distribution hub or depot987, variables include, heating, pumping, and carbon emissions from thestored material. Each of these variables is dependent on severalsub-variables including carbon intensity added, volume stored, and timestored. Finally, several variables or options for refining feedstocks983 at the refinery or bioprocessing facility, i.e., the refineryprocesses, may be employed and some of which have been describedhereinabove. Sub-variables commonly affecting these variables include,but are not limited to, the carbon intensity added (or subtracted) bythe process, the volume capability, and the time to process.

It should be noted that the above variables and sub-variables haveattributes that are inputs to the controller 750 (FIG. 8). Further, themathematical functions of these variables may also be user inputs to thecontroller 750 (FIG. 8). When the routine is run, variables andsub-variables are selected from possible attributes to permit therequired steps to be performed and drive the objective function tominimize carbon intensity of the transportation fuel. However, there arealso constraints 989 added to the routine as shown in FIG. 11. Inaddition to the normal feasibility constraints for any given variable orsub-variable, the production of low carbon transportation fuels may alsobe guided and constrained by customer demand as to fuel grades andquantities, certain environmentally-friendly actions (e.g., use ofrenewable energy sources, avoidance of fracking in crude production(even though fracked crude may result in a relatively low CI), avoidanceof feedstock selection from fragile environments, etc.), a carbonintensity minimum and/or maximum for a particular fuel, economicconsiderations to reign in cost of production, avoidance of geopoliticalissues (e.g., embargoes on feedstock importation, nationalism concernsand potential unfair labor practices), among others.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a fuel integration controller 1000for managing low carbon intensity energy production. As noted above andas illustrated in FIG. 8, a fuel integration controller 1000 may managethe operations of low carbon intensity transportation fuel production.The fuel integration controller 1000 may be one or more controllers, asupervisory controller, programmable logic controller (PLC), a computingdevice (such as a laptop, desktop computing device, and/or a server),and/or other suitable devices. The fuel integration controller 1000 maybe located at or near a refinery. The fuel integration controller 1000,as noted, may be more than one controller. In such cases, the fuelintegration controller 1000 may be located near or at various feedstocksources, near or at one or more refineries, and/or at other off-sitelocations. The fuel integration controller 1000 may include a processor1002, or one or more processors, and memory 1004. The memory 1004 mayinclude instructions. In an example, the memory 1004 may be amachine-readable storage medium. As used herein, a “machine-readablestorage medium” may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or otherphysical storage apparatus to contain or store information such asexecutable instructions, data, and the like. For example, anymachine-readable storage medium described herein may be any of randomaccess memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory,a storage drive (e.g., hard drive), a solid state drive, any type ofstorage disc, and the like, or a combination thereof. As noted, thememory 1004 may store or include instructions executable by theprocessor 1002. As used herein, a “processor” may include, for exampleone processor or multiple processors included in a single device ordistributed across multiple computing devices. The processor 1002 may beat least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-basedmicroprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA) to retrieve and execute instructions, a real timeprocessor (RTP), other electronic circuitry suitable for the retrievaland execution instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium,or a combination thereof.

As used herein, “signal communication” refers to electric communicationsuch as hard wiring two components together or wireless communication,as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, wirelesscommunication may be Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, or forms of near fieldcommunications. In addition, signal communication may include one ormore intermediate controllers or relays disposed between elements thatare in signal communication with one another.

The fuel integration controller 1000 may include various modules inmemory 1004. The modules may include or define a set of instructions,executable by the processor 1002 for different aspects involved inmanaging low carbon intensity transportation fuel production. Eachmodule may be in signal communication with other controllers, sensors,data inputs, computing devices, servers, refinery components, and/oruser interfaces. The fuel integration controller 1000 may include arefinery process selection module 1014, a transportation selectionmodule 1006, a feedstock selection module 1010, and/or an audit reportmodule 1012. The refinery process selection module 1014 may be in signalcommunication with a refinery controller 1016 and/or a utilitycontroller 1020. The refinery process selection module 1014 may be insignal communication with a plurality of refinery controllers (e.g.,each refinery controller located at a different and/or separaterefinery). In another example, the refinery process selection module1014 may be in signal communication with a refinery controller 1016including the functionality of a utility controller 1020. In yet anotherexample, the fuel integration controller 1000 may include thefunctionality of a refinery controller 1016 and/or a utility controller1020. The transportation selection module 1006 may connect to aprocurement computing device 1008, a distribution computing device 1024,a procurement and distribution computing device, a controller, a userinterface, a server, database, and/or another device. The feedstockselection module 1010 may be in signal communication with a procurementcomputing device 1008, a procurement and distribution computing device,a procurement controller, a user interface, a server, database, and/oranother device. The audit report module 1012 may be in signalcommunication with a user interface 1026. In such an example, a user mayrequest an audit report via the user interface 1026. The user interface1026 may be in signal communication with the fuel integration controller1000 and/or the audit report module 1012. In such examples, the userinterface 1026 may send and receive data to and from, respectively, thefuel integration controller 1000.

As noted above, the fuel integration controller 1000 may be in signalcommunication with the user interface 1026. The user interface 1026 mayinclude an input (such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.) and adisplay. In another example, the user interface 1026 may be a computingdevice, such as a laptop, desktop computer, server, smartphone, tablet,or a terminal. A user may enter data into the user interface 1026 tosend to the fuel integration controller 1000. For example, a user mayenter in a threshold CI for a particular transportation fuel production.A user may input a low CI fuel specification for a particulartransportation fuel production, the low CI fuel specification noting orincluding the threshold CI. The low CI fuel specification may be or mayinclude the definition of a low CI fuel. In yet another example, thefuel integration controller 1000 may connect to a database. The databasemay store the threshold CI and the fuel integration controller 1000 mayobtain the threshold CI from the database for a particulartransportation fuel production. The fuel integration controller 1000 mayinclude or store the threshold CI in memory 1004. In another example, auser may enter or input other data into the fuel integration controller1000 via the user interface 1026, such as available feedstock, availablefeedstock transportation pathways, available refinery processes,available utilities, and/or available fuel product distributionpathways. A user may also enter or input the algorithms and/orcalculations to determine a CI for any particular process.

In response to a reception of a threshold CI, whether from the userinterface 1026, a database, another device, or from memory 1004, thefuel integration controller 1000 may set, assign, or utilize thethreshold CI as a current threshold CI for a particular transportationfuel production. As such, the fuel integration controller 1000 mayselect various portions of the transportation fuel production process toensure that the current threshold CI is not exceeded. Further, the fuelintegration controller 1000 may simulate, model, or determine manydifferent variations to determine the best possible path, combination,or selection based on various data points or factors. The fuelintegration controller 1000 may determine the best possible path,combination, or selection via a brute-force method, a min-max method, anadmissible decision method, and/or via some other decision making methodas will be understood by those skilled in the art.

For example, upon reception of the threshold CI, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may determine a CI for a number of or all selections ofone or more available feedstock (in other words, feedstock variations).The fuel integration controller 1000 may further determine a CI for anumber of or all selections of blends of the one or more availablefeedstock. In other words, the feedstock variations may include varyingblends of one or more selected feedstock (e.g., 30% of feedstock 1 and70% of feedstock 2, 25% of feedstock 1 and 75% of feedstock 2, etc.).The feedstock selection module 1010, fuel integration controller 1000,or another module may perform the CI determination for the feedstockvariations. The feedstock selection module 1010, fuel integrationcontroller 1000, or another module may determine the CI of eachfeedstock variation based on data received from the procurementcomputing device 1008, a procurement and distribution computing device,a database, a user input from the user interface 1026, a feedstockcontroller in signal communication with the fuel integration controller1000, memory 1004, or another device storing such data. The datareceived may include a volume or number of barrels of a feedstock, atype of feedstock (for example, heavy or light crude, biofuel, etc.),and/or a location of the feedstock (for example, city, state, country,etc.). The data may also include the innate or inherent CI of thefeedstock (or the transportation fuel) or, in other words, the carbonemissions of the energy content of the feedstock (or transportationfuel), as disclosed above. The data may also include a CI (or raw datato determine the CI) associated with producing, obtaining, and/or anyother processing of the feedstock (e.g., a CI associated with fracking,offshore, tar sand steaming, processing soybean oil or corn oil, etc.).Once a number of or all of the feedstock variations CI are determined,the fuel integration controller 1000 may store each CI in memory 1004,at a database, and/or at the procurement computing device 1008 forfuture use.

The fuel integration controller 1000 may further determine a feedstocktransportation CI for a number of or all available feedstocktransportation pathways for each or a number of each feedstockvariations. The transportation selection module 1006 or another modulein the fuel integration controller 1000 may determine the CI. The fuelintegration controller 1000 or transportation selection module 1006 maydetermine the feedstock transportation CIs based on the selected one ormore available feedstock or feedstock variations, for any particulariteration or determination. For example, in the case that a feedstockfrom overseas is chosen, marine delivery modes or pathways may beconsidered, while for a local feedstock (or a feedstock within the samecountry), rail, vehicular (e.g., a truck), and/or pipeline delivery, ifavailable, may be considered. The fuel integration controller 1000 ortransportation selection module 1006 may obtain available feedstocktransportation pathways from the procurement computing device 1008, theuser interface 1026, a database, from memory 1004, and/or from anotherdevice. Further, the fuel integration controller 1000 or thetransportation selection module 1006 may base the CI on the volume ofeach feedstock transportation pathway, the fuel type utilized by eachfeedstock transportation pathway (e.g., gas, electricity, steam, otherliquid fuels, etc.), and/or a distance from the source of the feedstockto the refinery. Once a number of or all of the feedstock transportationpathway variations CI, based on the feedstock variations, aredetermined, the fuel integration controller 1000 may store each CI inmemory 1004, at a database, and/or at the procurement computing device1008 for future use.

The fuel integration controller 1000 may further via a refinery processselection module 1014, determine a refinery process and utilities CI fora number of or all available refinery processes and utility options foreach or a number of each feedstock variations. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may, rather than determining a refinery process andutility CI, determine a refinery process CI and/or a utilities CI. Therefinery process selection module 1014 or other modules within the fuelintegration controller 1000 may determine the refinery process andutilities CI. As noted above, a refinery process may utilize variousutilities for any given refinery process. To offset carbon emissions forstandard refining processes, renewable utilities (e.g., solar, wind,geothermal, renewable gas, etc.) may be utilized in the refiningprocess, thus reducing overall CI (as well as carbon emissions). Inanother example, heat integration through a heat exchanger networkand/or carbon sequestration may be utilized or selected to reduce oroffset the CI for a particular refining process, thus reducing theoverall CI for a transportation fuel production. In an example, the fuelintegration controller 1000 or refinery process selection module 1014may determine available refinery processes and utilities based on a listfrom a refinery controller 1016, utility controller 1020, or from memory1004. The heat exchanger network may include one or more heat exchangersthat are arranged to provide heat to process streams (e.g., processstreams to be heated) by exchanging heat with other process streams tobe cooled. Such a heat exchanger network arrangement thus reducesoverall heating and cooling utilities (e.g., energy and/or fuel utilizedto heat and/or cool). In another example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 or refinery process selection module 1014 may determineavailable refinery processes and utilities based on the selected one ormore available feedstock or feedstock variations (in other words,different feedstock may utilize different refinery processes, thuschoices may be limited based on the particular feedstock variations). Insuch examples, the fuel integration controller 1000 and/or the refineryprocess selection module 1014 may determine CI for each availablerefinery process and utility option for each feedstock variation. Thefuel integration controller 1000 and/or refinery process selectionmodule 1014 may determine the CI for each available refinery process andutility option based on the type or types of the selected feedstockvariations, the utilities to be used during the refinery processes, theyield of each refinery process, and/or other factors, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. The fuel integration controller1000 may consider other refineries as well. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may determine a CI for other refineries, as describedabove. The fuel integration controller 1000 may further base refineryprocess CI on availability, at one of the refineries, of a refinedtransportation fuel and/or component (e.g., other fuel used in a blendor refining process) of a refined transportation fuel. Once a number ofor all of the refinery processes and utilities CI (for one or morerefineries), based on the feedstock variations, are determined, the fuelintegration controller 1000 may store each CI in memory 1004 or at adatabase for future use.

As noted, the fuel integration controller 1000 may, rather thandetermining a refinery process and utility CI, determine a refineryprocess CI and/or a utilities CI. The utility CI may be based on theutilities used in a corresponding refinery process, the utilities usedto store a feedstock, the utilities used to store a refined product,other utilities used for various other processes at the refinery, and/orat other points in the transportation fuel production (e.g., utilitiesused in pumps to transfer feedstock or refined transportation fuels).

The fuel integration controller 1000 may further determine a refinedproduct distribution CI for a number of or all available fuel productdistribution pathways for each or a number of each feedstock variations.The transportation selection module 1006 or another module in the fuelintegration controller 1000 may determine the refined productdistribution CI. The fuel integration controller 1000 or transportationselection module 1006 may determine the refined product distribution CIbased on the selected one or more available feedstock and refineryprocess yield, for any particular iteration or determination. Forexample, one refinery process for a feedstock variation may produce acertain amount of a refined product, while another refinery process foranother feedstock variation may produce a different amount of refinedproduct. The fuel integration controller 1000 or transportationselection module 1006 may obtain available fuel product distributionpathways from the distribution computing device 1024, the user interface1026, a database, from memory 1004, and/or from another device. Further,the fuel integration controller 1000 or the transportation selectionmodule 1006 may determine the refined product distribution CI based onthe volume of each fuel product distribution pathway, the fuel typeutilized by each fuel product distribution pathway, and/or a distancefrom the refinery to convenience store, distribution point, and/or anend destination/point. Once a number of or all of the fuel productdistribution pathway variations CI, based on the feedstock variations,are determined, the fuel integration controller 1000 may store each CIin memory 1004, at a database, distribution computing device 1024,and/or procurement and distribution computing device for future use.

Once a number of or all CIs for each selection (as in, the selection ofthe one or more available feedstock, the feedstock transportationpathway, the refinery process and utilities, and the refined productdistribution) are determined, the fuel integration controller 1000 maydetermine a set of variations, combinations, or selections of each ofthe selections noted above. For example, one set of the variations,combinations, or selections may include a selected one or more availablefeedstock, a selected one or more available feedstock transportationpathways (corresponding to the feedstock variation), a selected one ormore refinery processes (corresponding to the feedstock variation), aselected one or more utilities (corresponding to the refinery processesand/or other processes to use utilities), and a selected one or morefuel product distribution pathways (corresponding to the refined productfrom the refinery). Further, the fuel integration controller 1000 maydetermine a total CI for each variation, combination, or set ofselections. The fuel integration controller 1000 may determine the totalCI based on the volume of the selected one or more available feedstock,the yield from the corresponding or selected refinery process for arefined transportation fuel, the determined feedstock CI, the determinedfeedstock transportation CI, the determined refinery process andutilities CI, and/or the determined refined product distribution CI.Other factors may be considered when determining a total CI. Forexample, the fuel integration controller 1000 may further base the totalCI on a feedstock storage tank CI (if utilized), a refined product tankCI (if utilized), emissions (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses,breathing losses, and flashing losses), carbon sequestration (ifutilized), and/or other carbon offsetting practices as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. In such examples, once the fuelintegration controller 1000 determines the total CI for each variation,the fuel integration controller 1000 may store each total CI in memory1004 and/or at a database.

Once each total CI variation is determined, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may determine a selection from the set of combinations.The combinations may include the various selections, described above,with a CI less than the threshold CI. In an example, if there are novariations with a CI less than the CI threshold, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may notify a user that all selections exceed thethreshold CI, prompt a user to enter a new threshold CI, and/or prompt auser to accept the selection with the lowest total CI (the lowest totalCI, in this case, exceeding the threshold CI). In another example, thefuel integration controller 1000 may automatically select a newthreshold CI. In another example, the fuel integration controller 1000may determine the selection based on the lowest total CI (the lowesttotal CI not exceeding the threshold CI). In yet another example,multiple combinations may include a similar or the same total CI.However, each combination may exhibit different properties, such as acost issue or a timing issue (e.g., from feedstock to customer). In suchexamples, the fuel integration controller 1000 may select one of thecombinations, with the similar or same CI or a CI lower than threshold,further based on the time of availability of each of the selected one ormore available feedstock, a time for delivery to the refinery by thefeedstock transportation pathway, a time to process a feedstockutilizing the selected one or more refinery processes, a time todelivery from the refinery to the customer (e.g., convenience store,distribution point, etc.), and/or any refinery processes queued or inproduction. Upon determination of a selection, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may initiate transportation fuel production or transmita request to confirm initiation of the transportation fuel production.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a system 1200 for managing thelow carbon intensity energy production according to an embodiment. Thesystem 1200 may include a fuel integration controller 1202. The fuelintegration controller 1202 may connect to various other controllers,sensors, and/or computing devices utilized throughout a refinedtransportation fuel production to plan and/or control a refinedtransportation fuel production. For example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may connect to a controller at a feedstock source 1203or to a database storing information regarding the feedstock source1203, as well as other feedstock sources. As such, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may obtain various data points or information inrelation to different available feedstock at feedstock sources and thefuel integration controller 1202 may select one or more of the availablefeedstock for a refined transportation fuel production, based on thedata points or information obtained. The fuel integration controller1202 may connect to controllers, sensors, a database and/or computingdevices related to a feedstock transportation pathway. As such, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may obtain various data points orinformation in relation to different available feedstock transportationpathways and the fuel integration controller 1202 may select one or moreof the available feedstock transportation pathways for the refinedtransportation fuel production, based on the various data points orinformation.

Further, the fuel integration controller 1202 may connect tocontrollers, sensors, and/or computing devices associated with a tank1214 (e.g., a feedstock storage tank) and/or tank 1228 e.g., a fuelproduct storage tank). The tank 1214, tank 1228, or tanks may bepositioned at various points between a feedstock source 1203, therefinery 1220, and a distribution point or terminal (e.g., conveniencestore 1234). For example, the tank 1214 may be located on-site at therefinery 1220. The fuel integration controller 1202 may obtain variousdata points or information in relation to feedstock or refinedtransportation fuel stored in tank 1214 or tank 1228 (e.g., time andpower utilized) and the fuel integration controller 1202 may selectfeedstock or refined transportation fuel stored in the tank 1214, tank1228, or other tanks for use in the refined transportation fuelproduction.

The fuel integration controller 1202 may control a refinery 1220 and/orconnect to controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices at therefinery 1220. The fuel integration controller 1202 may obtain variousdata points or information in relation to different available refineryprocesses of the refinery 1220 and the fuel integration controller 1202may select one or more of the available refinery processes for therefined transportation fuel production, based on the various data pointsor information. The fuel integration controller 1202 may initiate and/orcontrol the selected refinery processes at the refinery 1220. Forexample, when a particular refinery process is selected, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may initiate the refinery process ortransmit an initiation to a controller of the refinery 1220.

The fuel integration controller 1202 may connect to a utility provider1222 or controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices of a utilityprovider 1222. The utility provider 1222 may provide utilities for usein the refinery 1220, as well as at various other points throughout therefined transportation fuel production. The utility provider 1222 may beproximate to, nearby, or at the refinery 1220 and may utilize renewableresources. For example, the utility provider 1222 may provide and/ortrack utilities for use at the feedstock source, at eachtransportation/distribution pathway, at each tank (e.g., tank 1214 andtank 1228), at a blending site, and/or at other points or processes inthe refined transportation fuel production. As such, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may obtain data regarding the availableutilities, as well as available utilities for the refined transportationfuel production. Based on such data, the fuel integration controller1202 may select one or more utilities for the refined transportationfuel production (e.g., utilities for use in the one or more selectedrefinery processes).

The fuel integration controller 1202 may connect to controllers,sensors, a database, and/or computing devices related to a refinedproduct distribution pathway. As such, the fuel integration controller1202 may obtain various data points or information in relation todifferent available refined product distribution pathways and the fuelintegration controller 1202 may select one or more of the availablerefined product distribution transportation pathways based on thevarious data points or information.

The fuel integration controller 1202 may connect to controllers,sensors, and/or computing devices at a distribution point or terminal(e.g., a convenience store 1234). For example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may monitor or track fuel consumption (in other words,demand) at the convenience store 1234. Based on the consumption ordemand, the fuel integration controller 1202 may initiate a refinedtransportation fuel production for a particular refined transportationfuel. Further, based on consumption or demand, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may select different aspects of the refinedtransportation fuel production (e.g., a low CI feedstock, carbonsequestration, renewable utilities, etc.).

FIGS. 13A through 13E illustrate flow diagrams, implemented in acontroller, for managing the low carbon intensity energy productionaccording to an embodiment. The method is detailed with reference to thefuel integration controller 1202 and system 1200 of FIG. 15. Unlessotherwise specified, the actions of method 1100 may be completed withinthe fuel integration controller 1202. Specifically, method 1100 may beincluded in one or more programs, protocols, or instructions loaded intothe memory of the fuel integration controller 1202 and executed on theprocessor or one or more processors of the fuel integration controller1202. The order in which the operations are described is not intended tobe construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks maybe combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the methods.

At block 1102, the fuel integration controller 1202 may receive athreshold CI. The fuel integration controller 1202 may receive thethreshold CI from a user, user interface, a low CI fuel specification(e.g., input by a user or stored in a database), a controller, memory ofthe fuel integration controller 1202, and/or another device. In responseto a reception of the threshold CI, the fuel integration controller 1202may utilize or assign the input threshold CI as a current threshold CI.The current threshold CI may correspond to a particular transportationfuel production process or operation.

Once a current threshold CI is set, assigned, received, and/ordetermined, at block 1104, the fuel integration controller 1202 mayselect one or more available feedstock from a fuel or feedstock source1203. As noted above, the available feedstock may includeplant/animal-based and/or crude feedstock 1206 from a variety of sources(e.g., wellhead, biomass facilities, storage tanks, etc.). In anexample, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine a list orset of available feedstock from a user input (via a user interface), adatabase, a procurement controller, procurement computing device,procurement and distribution computing device, the memory of the fuelintegration controller 1202, and/or another device.

In response to a selection of the one or more available feedstock, atblock 1106, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine afeedstock CI. The fuel integration controller 1202 may determinefeedstock CI based on the ratio, percentage, or blend of the feedstock'sinherent CI, the type of feedstock, the location of the feedstock (e.g.,distance from the refinery 1220, tanks 1214, 1228, or blending site),the power used or emissions generated by obtaining or producing thefeedstock, and/or the volume of the feedstock. In another example, thefeedstock CI may be known or given (e.g., via the user interface,database, controller, etc.). Further, as one or more available feedstockare determined or selected, the feedstock CI may be determined based onthe ratio or blend of the determined or selected one or more availablefeedstock.

In response to a determination of the feedstock CI, at block 1108, thefuel integration controller 1202 may determine a feedstocktransportation CI for each available feedstock transportation pathwayfor the selected one or more available feedstock. The availablefeedstock transportation pathways may include pipeline transportation,marine vessel transportation, vehicular transportation (e.g., a truck),and/or rail transportation 1210. As noted above, different feedstock maybe deliverable via particular feedstock transportation pathways. Assuch, based on the selected one or more available feedstock, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may determine the feedstock transportationCI. The fuel integration controller 1202 may further determine thefeedstock transportation CI for each available feedstock transportationpathway based on the volume of the feedstock transportation pathway, thefuel utilized by the feedstock transportation pathway, and the distancethe feedstock transportation pathway may travel to deliver the feedstockfrom the feedstock source 1203 to a tank 1214 or refinery 1220.

As noted above, feedstock storage in a tank 1214 (e.g., a feedstockstorage tank) may be associated with a CI. In other words, storing afeedstock in a tank 1214 may lead to carbon emissions, based on variousfactors, such as time of storage, volume of tank 1214, volume offeedstock to be stored, power required to transfer feedstock to and fromthe tank 1214 (e.g., via a pump), power and time required to heat/coolthe feedstock, and/or the emissions associated with the storage of thefeedstock 1208 (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses, breathinglosses, and flashing losses). In such cases where feedstock storage maybe an option, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determinefeedstock storage CI based on those factors. Further, a CI may beassociated with transporting the stored feedstock to the refinery 1220.The stored feedstock may be transported via pipeline, marine vessel,vehicle (e.g., a truck), and/or rail 1211. The stored feedstocktransportation CI may be based on the volume of the stored feedstocktransportation pathway, the fuel utilized by the stored feedstocktransportation pathway, and the distance the stored feedstocktransportation pathway may travel to deliver the stored feedstock fromthe tank 1214 to the refinery 1220.

In response to a determination of the feedstock transportation CI, atblock 1110, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine therefinery process CI. In such examples, the fuel integration controller1202 may obtain a list of available refinery processes from a refinerycontroller at the refinery 1220, a database, or the memory of the fuelintegration controller 1202. In another example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine the refinery process CI for each refineryprocesses based on the type of feedstock selected and the yield of therefinery process. As noted above, high CI refinery operations may beoffset by the use of offsetting practices. For example, a refinery 1220may be capable of heat integration via a heat exchanger network.Further, the refinery may be capable of generating electricity throughthe letdown of high pressure steam across a power turbine, the steam tobe used in typical refinery processes. Further still, the refinery mayutilize carbon sequestration to offset high CI refinery, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

In response to a determination of the refinery process CI, at block1112, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine the utilitiesCI. In such examples, the fuel integration controller 1202 may obtain alist of available utilities from a refinery controller at the refinery1220, a utility controller, a database, or the memory of the fuelintegration controller 1202. In another example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine the utilities CI for each availableutility based on the type utilities to be used during refineryprocesses. As noted above, high CI refinery operations may be offset bythe use of low CI utilities. For example, renewable fuels from a utilityprovider 1222 may be provided to a refinery 1220 to refine a high CIfeedstock. The utilities may include different sources or forms ofhydrogen, of water/steam, of electricity (e.g., solar, wind, renewablegas, etc. 1236), and/or of other fuels 1218. The utilities CI mayfurther include a CI associated with utilities used throughout thetransportation fuel production. The utilities CI may be further based onutilities used at the feedstock source 1203 (e.g., utilities used toobtain or produce a feedstock), during feedstock transportation (e.g.,power utilized at a pump to pump feedstock to another location), used atthe tank 1214 (e.g., a feedstock storage tank), during refinedtransportation fuel distribution (e.g., power utilized at a pump to pumprefined transportation fuel to another location), used at a blendingsite (e.g., utilities to power a mixing element or component of a blendtank or to power pumps to an in-line mixer), and/or used at any otherpoint in the transportation fuel production.

As noted above, fuel product storage in a tank 1228 (e.g., a fuelproduct storage tank) may be associated with a CI. In other words,storing a refined transportation fuel in a tank 1228 may lead to carbonemissions, based on various factors, such as time of storage, volume oftank 1228, volume of feedstock to be stored, power required to transferrefined transportation fuel to and from the tank 1228 (e.g., via apump), power and time required to heat/cool the refined transportationfuel, and/or the emissions associated with the storage of the refinedtransportation fuel 1230 (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses,breathing losses, and flashing losses). In such cases where refinedtransportation fuel storage may be an option, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine refined transportation fuel storage CIbased on those factors. Further, a CI may be associated withtransporting the refined transportation fuel from the refinery 1220 or ablending site to the tank 1228. The stored refined transportation fuelmay be transported via pipeline, marine vessel, vehicle (e.g., a truck),and/or rail 1213. The stored fuel transportation CI may be based on thevolume of the stored fuel transportation pathway, the fuel utilized bythe stored fuel transportation pathway, and the distance the stored fueltransportation pathway may travel to deliver the stored refinedtransportation fuel from the refinery 1220 to the tank 1228.

In response to a determination of the utilities CI, at block 1114, thefuel integration controller 1202 may determine a blending process CI foreach available blending process at one or more blending sites and for arefined transportation fuel and low CI blending fuels (e.g., ethanol orbiodiesel). The fuel integration controller 1202 may base the blendingprocess CI on a CI of the low CI blending fuel, the transportationpathway (including distance) that the low CI blending fuel may travel toa blending site, the power utilized for the blending process, and/orother factors that generate a CI, as will be understood by those skilledin the art. In an example, to lower a high CI feedstock, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may select a blending process, the blendingprocess including a low CI blending fuel (e.g., ethanol or biodiesel).

In response to a determination of the blending process CI, at block1116, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine a fuel productdistribution process CI for each available fuel product distributionpathway for one or more refined transportation fuels from the refinery1220, a blending site, or tanks (e.g., tank 1228). The available fuelproduct distribution pathways may include pipeline transportation,marine vessel transportation, truck or vehicular transportation, and/orrail transportation 1232. The fuel integration controller 1202 mayfurther determine the refined product distribution CI for each availablefuel product distribution pathway based on the volume of the fuelproduct distribution pathway, the fuel utilized by the fuel productdistribution pathway, the distance the fuel product distribution pathwaymay travel to deliver the refined transportation fuel from the refinery1220 to a tank 1228 or convenience store 1234, and/or the one or morerefined transportation fuels (e.g., volume and type).

In response to a determination of the refined product distribution CI,at block 1118, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine thetotal CI for each variation of selections noted above. For example, forthe selected one or more available feedstock, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine total CI based on a first feedstocktransportation pathway, a first refinery process, a first utility, afirst blending process, and a first refined product distribution method.The fuel integration controller 1202 may then determine the total CI forthe next variation and so on. The fuel integration controller 1202 mayfurther base the total CI on the volume of the selected one or moreavailable feedstock and/or the yield percentage of the refinery process(in other words, the volume of the refined transportation fuel per theoriginal feedstock volume). Other factors may be taken into account fortotal CI.

In response to a determination of total CI, at block 1120, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may determine whether all blends orselections or, at least, a number of blends or selections of the one ormore available feedstock (and the variations of the other selectionsdescribed above) have been considered (e.g., if a total CI has beendetermined for all variations of feedstock combinations or paths). Ifall blends or selections or a number of blends or selections of the oneor more available feedstock have not been considered, at block 1128, thefuel integration controller 1202 may select another of the one or moreavailable feedstock and determine total CI, as described above. If allof the one or more available feedstock or, at least, a particular amountor set of ratios or blends of the one or more available feedstock havebeen considered, then the fuel integration controller 1202, at block1122, may determine whether any path, combination, variation, or finalselection does not exceed the threshold CI. If no path, combination,variation, or final selection does not exceed the threshold CI (in otherwords, if all paths, combinations, variations, or final selectionsexceed the threshold CI), at block 1124, the fuel integration controller1202 may transmit a notification to a user, prompting the user to selecta new threshold CI. In another example, the fuel integration controller1202 may automatically increase the threshold CI based on a specifiedamount. The fuel integration controller 1202, at block 1126, may waituntil a new threshold CI is received. When a new threshold CI issubmitted or received by the fuel integration controller 1202, thecurrent threshold CI is set to the new threshold CI and, at block 1128,another of the one or more available feedstock may be selected and eachiteration or a number of iterations may be determined again, asdescribed above.

If at least one path, combination, variation, or final selection doesnot exceed the threshold CI, at block 1130, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine a set of paths, combinations, variations,or selections with the lowest total CI. In some cases, one path,combination, variation, or selection may not exceed the threshold CI,while in other cases many paths or selections may not exceed thethreshold CI. Each path, combination, variation, or selection mayinclude a selected one or more available feedstock, one or more selectedfeedstock transportation pathways, one or more selected refineryoperations, one or more selected utilities, one or more selectedblending processes, and/or one or more selected fuel productdistribution pathways, as well as a corresponding CI for each selection.

Based on the set of paths, combinations, variations, or selections, atblock 1132, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine aselection of a path, combination, variation, or selection from the setof paths or selections. The fuel integration controller 1202 may selectthe path, combination, variation, or selections based on, in addition tolowest total CI, time of availability of each of the selected one ormore available feedstock, a time for delivery to the refinery by thefeedstock transportation pathway, a time to process a feedstockutilizing the selected one or more refinery processes, a time todelivery from the refinery to a convenience store by each of theselected one or more fuel product distribution pathways, the cost ofeach selection, transportation fuel productions currently in progress orin queue, and/or customer demand for a particular refined transportationfuel. So, as an example, the fuel integration controller 1202 may selectthe path, combination, variation, or selection having a lower thanthreshold CI (although not necessarily the lowest CI) and more efficientpathway (e.g., from feedstock to customer), as described above. Anefficient pathway may include a shorter distance to travel overall(e.g., from feedstock source to customer), the time of availability forthe feedstock, the length of time to refine a particular feedstock(which may be based on a type of feedstock), the length of time afeedstock or refined transportation fuel may be stored at any point inthe transportation fuel production, cost issues associated with each ofthe selection, and/or a high demand for a particular low CI refinedtransportation fuel (e.g., based on sales at a convenience store 1234).

In response to determination of a selection of the path, combination,variation, or selections, at block 1134, the fuel integration controller1202 may generate and transmit an estimated or initial audit report to auser, user interface, database, and/or other device. The audit reportmay include the CI of each selection and the total CI. The estimatedaudit report may include other information regarding each part of theplanned or selected transportation fuel production, such as where theselected feedstock is from, the type and volume of the selectedfeedstock, the type of feedstock transportation pathways (as well asother details on the feedstock transportation pathway), the selectedrefinery process, the estimated yield of the refinery process, theselected utilities, the source of the selected utilities, the selectedblending process, the type and volume of the low CI blending fuel, thetype of fuel product distribution pathways (as well as other details onthe fuel product distribution pathway), length of time for tank storageat any point in the process, and/or an overall timeline of thetransportation fuel production. In another example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may generate the estimated or initial audit report basedon a request from a user and/or user interface.

In another example, the fuel integration controller 1202, at block 1136,may transmit a feedstock request. The feedstock request may include theselected one or more available feedstock and the selected feedstocktransportation pathway. In another example, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may transmit a confirmation of the feedstock requestprior to transmitting the feedstock request. For example, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may transmit a request for confirmation of afeedstock request of the selected one or more available feedstock to auser interface or a procurement computing device. In response toreception of the confirmation (e.g., from the user interface orprocurement computing device), the fuel integration controller 1202 maytransmit the feedstock request to a procurement computing device,procurement controller, the user interface (which may include aprocurement sub-routine or instructions), a procurement and distributioncomputing device, or other device.

Once the feedstock request has been delivered to the refinery 1220, atblock 1138, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine theactual CI for the selected one or more available feedstock andcorresponding feedstock transportation pathway. The fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine whether, in relation to the determinedfeedstock CI and feedstock transportation CI, the actual CI for eitherthe selected one or more available feedstock and corresponding feedstocktransportation pathway has increased. If an increase is determined, thefuel integration controller 1202, at block 1140, may select one or moredifferent refinery processes, utilities, blending processes and/or fuelproduct distribution pathways to maintain the total CI, cost, and/ortimeline of transportation fuel production, if such a selection isavailable. In another example, the fuel integration controller 1202 maysend a prompt or notification to a user or user interface. Further, theprompt may include the available options or paths, such as one or moredifferent refinery processes, utilities, blending processes, storagetanks, and/or fuel product transportation pathways. In such examples,the user may select the new options or paths to maintain the total CI(e.g., from the estimate audit report) or lower the total CI further. Inanother example, the user may choose to continue with the priorselections.

In response to the determination that the determined feedstock CI andfeedstock transportation CI have not increased or in response to aselection of one or more different refinery processes, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may, at block 1141, initiate any selectedrefinery process. In another example, the fuel integration controller1202 may connect to a refinery controller and transmit the initiation tothe refinery controller. The fuel integration controller 1202 may notifya user of the initiation of the refinery processes. In another example,the fuel integration controller 1202 may send a prompt to a user toinitiate or confirm initiation of the refinery process.

In response to a reception of or determination of completion of theselected refinery process, at block 1142, the fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may determine the actual CI for the selected refineryprocess and utilities. The fuel integration controller 1202 maydetermine whether, in relation to the determined refinery process CI andutility CI, the actual CI for the refinery process and utilities hasincreased. If an increase is determined, the fuel integration controller1202, at block 1144, may select one or more different blending processesand/or fuel product distribution pathways to maintain CI, cost, and/ortimeline of fuel production, if such a selection is available.

At block 1146, the fuel integration controller 1202 may initiate thetransfer of the refined transportation fuel to a blending site. Once therefined transportation fuel and a low CI blending fuel are received at ablending site, the fuel integration controller 1202 may initiate theblending process at block 1148. In response to a reception of ordetermination of completion of the selected blending process, at block1150, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine the actual CIfor the selected blending process. The fuel integration controller 1202may determine whether, in relation to the determined blending processCI, the actual CI for the blending process has increased. If an increaseis determined, the fuel integration controller 1202, at block 1152, mayselect one or more different fuel product distribution pathways tomaintain CI, cost, and/or timeline of fuel production, if such aselection is available.

Once the blending process is complete or once a new fuel productdistribution pathway is selected, the fuel integration controller 1202,at block 1154 may transmit a distribution request for the refinedtransportation fuel via the selected fuel product distribution pathway.The distribution request may include the refined transportation fuel andthe selected fuel product distribution pathway. In another example, thefuel integration controller 1202 may transmit a request for confirmationof a distribution request of the refined transportation fuel to a userinterface or a distribution computing device. In response to receptionof the confirmation (e.g., from the user interface or distributioncomputing device), the fuel integration controller 1202 may transmit thefeedstock request to a distribution computing device, distributioncontroller, the user interface (which may include a distributionsub-routine or instructions), a procurement and distribution computingdevice, or other device.

At block 1156, the fuel integration controller 1202 may determine theactual CI for the selected one or more available feedstock, thecompleted feedstock transportation pathway, the completed refineryoperations including utilities, the completed blending process, and thecompleted fuel product distribution pathway. At block 1158, the fuelintegration controller 1202 may determine the actual total CI. Theactual total CI may be based on the actual refined product yield, theactual feedstock volume, and the actual CI for the selected one or moreavailable feedstock, the completed feedstock transportation pathway, thecompleted refinery operations including utilities, the completedblending process, and the completed fuel product distribution pathway.

At block 1160, the fuel integration controller 1202 may generate andtransmit an actual or final audit report to a user, user interface,database, and/or other device. The actual or final audit report mayinclude the actual total CI and the actual CI for each process (e.g.,the actual CI for the selected one or more available feedstock, thecompleted feedstock transportation pathway, the completed refineryoperations including utilities, the completed blending process, and thecompleted fuel product distribution pathway). The fuel integrationcontroller 1202 may generate the actual or final audit report based on arequest from a user and/or user interface.

FIG. 14A illustrates another simplified diagram illustrating a controlsystem for managing the low carbon intensity energy production accordingto an embodiment. In such examples, rather than connecting to aprocurement and distribution computing device, the fuel integrationcontroller may connect to a user interface 1026. The user interface 1026may connect to or include a procurement module 1243. For example, theprocurement module 1243 may be a set of instructions included in theuser interface to order feedstock from various feedstock sources. Theprocurement module 1243 may be a controller, computing device, server,and/or other device. The user interface 1026 may also connect to orinclude a distribution module 1242. For example, the distribution module1242 may be a set of instructions included in the user interface 1026 toinitiate delivery of refined product from a refinery to a conveniencestore (or other distribution point or terminal). The distribution module1242 may be a controller, computing device, server, and/or other device.In such examples, the procurement module 1243 and distribution module1242 may allow for order of feedstock, via specified transportationmodes, and delivery of refined product, via specified transportationmodes.

As noted above, the fuel integration controller 1000 may determine acombination of a selection of one or more feedstock, one or morefeedstock transportation pathways, a selection of one or more refineryprocesses, a selection of one or more utilities, a selection of one ormore blending processes, and a selection of one or more refinedfeedstock transportation pathways. The fuel integration controller 1000may determine such a combination based on a determination of thefeedstock CI (based on, for example, a ratio or blend of availablefeedstock volume and type), the feedstock transportation CI (based onavailable feedstock transportation delivery distance and fuel type), therefinery process CI (based on the type of refinery process, the volumeand type of feedstock, the length of time of the refinery process,and/or the yield of the refinery process), the utility CI of one or moreutilities (based on the type of utility utilized in the refinery processand the distance the utility travels to reach the refinery), theblending process CI of one or more blending processes (based on the typeof blending process and a low CI blending fuels CI and volume), and/orrefined product distribution CI (based on available refined productdistribution delivery distance and fuel type). Other factors may beutilized in determining a combination, such as cost of each process,margin or profit based on a sale of the final product, availability,yield, and/or one-time costs (such as increasing refinery capacity orincreasing efficiency of an aspect of the refinery).

In another example, the fuel integration controller 1000 may connect toa database 1240. The database 1240 may include various data points, suchas available feedstock (and corresponding raw data), availabletransportation modes (and corresponding raw data), available storagetanks (and corresponding raw data), available refinery process (andcorresponding raw data), and/or available utility options (andcorresponding raw data). In another example, a user may update, via theuser interface 1026, the data stored at the database 1240. In anotherexample, the fuel integration controller 1000 may update the data at thedatabase 1240, for example, based on reception of data from variouscontrollers and/or computing devices. In another example, the fuelintegration controller 1000 may store determined CIs, total CIs, and/oraudit reports at the database, which other devices or user interfacesmay access.

FIG. 14B illustrates another simplified diagram illustrating a controlsystem for managing the low carbon intensity energy production accordingto an embodiment. In such examples, the fuel integration controller mayconnect to many different controllers, each controller to control adifferent process. In such examples, the fuel integration controller1000 may be considered a supervisory or master controller. The fuelintegration controller 1000 may connect to one or more refinerycontrollers 1032. Each refinery controller 1032 may be located atdifferent and separate refineries. The fuel integration controller 1000may further connect to other controllers located at a refinery, each ofthe controllers controlling different processes within the refinery(e.g., a controller for a cracker to control a cracking process).

Further, the fuel integration controller 1000 may connect to a utilitycontroller 1034. The utility controller 1034 may control which utilities(e.g., wind, solar, RNG, geothermal, or conventional fuels) are used fora refinery process. Further, the utility controller 1034 may control ortrack utilities used in other processes of the transportation fuelproduction (e.g., the process of during obtaining or producingfeedstock, transporting the feedstock, storing the feedstock, blendingthe refined transportation fuel, storing the refined transportationfuel, and/or transporting the refined transportation fuel).

Further still, the fuel integration controller 1000 may connect to aprocurement controller 1036 and/or a distribution controller 1038. Thefuel integration controller 1000 may transmit requests for delivery offeedstock to a refinery (e.g., including a selected feedstock andtransportation pathway). The fuel integration controller 1000 maytransmit requests for delivery of refined transportation fuel to aconvenience store, distribution point, or terminal (e.g., including arefined transportation fuel and distribution pathway). The fuelintegration controller 1000 may also transmit an audit report to thedistribution controller 1038, corresponding to a refined transportationfuel. The fuel integration controller 1000 may also connect to ablending controller 1040. The fuel integration controller 1000 mayconduct a blending selection 1030 based on the available refinedproducts, fuels (e.g., biodiesel, ethanol), additives and/or blendingagents and transmit such blending selection 1030 to one or more of therefined products storage, distribution mode, terminal/distributionpoint, and retail outlet to prepare the blend accordingly.

TABLE I Fuel Production Case Study Base Case Study Case 1 Base DeltaStudy Case 2 Base Delta Threshold CI, gCO₂/Mj 100 90 −10 90 −10 Margin,$/B 11.00 6.75 −4.25 7.25 −3.75 Crude 1, BPD (Low CI) 17,000 30,000+13,000 50,000 +33,000 Crude 2, MBPD (Mid CI) 0 60,000 +60,000 29,000+29,000 Crude 3, BPD (High CI) 83,000 10,000 −73,000 21,000 −62,000 GasYield, BPD 57,000 63,000 +6,000 64,000 +7,000 Diesel Yield, MBPD 41,00035,000 −6,000 34,000 −7,000 Jet Yield, MBPD 2,000 2,000 0 1,000 +2,000CO2 Emissions, Mg/Day 53,000 47,000 −6,000 47,000 −6,000 CO2 AbatementCost, — — 70 — 63 $/Mg

Table I will now be described with respect to three prophetic examples.In the base case, a LCFS may specify that a refined transportation fuelhave a CI of no more than 100 gCO2/MJ. Thus, a user may enter, at theuser interface 1026, a threshold CI of 100 (Table I). Three differenttypes of feedstock (in this case, crude oil) may be available, crude 1(with a low CI, e.g., crude that may be obtained from fracked shale),crude 2 (with a mid-level CI, e.g., an imported crude), and crude 3(with a high CI, e.g., crude that may be obtained from tar sands). Eachcrude oil may have a corresponding available volume that is a constraintto the use thereof. For example, crude 1 may correspond to a volumecapable of providing, at least, 30,000 barrels per day (BPD), crude 2may correspond to a volume capable of providing, at least, 60,000thousand BPD (MBPD), and crude 3 may correspond to a volume capable ofproviding, at least, 83,000 BPD. In such examples, after the user entersa threshold CI of 100 at the user interface 1026 or after the fuelintegration controller 1000 determines or obtains the threshold CI, thefuel integration controller 1000 may determine a path, combination,variation, or selections of one or more of the feedstock, a feedstocktransportation pathway, a refinery process, utilities for the refineryprocess, and/or a fuel product distribution pathway. The determinationmay be based on one or more blends of the three crudes CI (for example,and as shown on Table I, 17% crude 1, 0% crude 2, and 83% crude 3).However, the carbon intensities of each component of the blend may beconsidered for each of: the corresponding available feedstocktransportation pathways, the corresponding available refinery processes,the corresponding available utilities, and/or the corresponding refinedproduct distribution. Other considerations or constraints may includethe cost of each combination, the margin associated with eachcombination, and/or time of availability (either of the specific crudeat the refinery, of the refined product to the end user location, etc.).In such examples, the CI for the components noted above may correspondto different values based on the various factors described in thepresent disclosure. The fuel integration controller 1000 may determine atotal CI for a particular refined transportation fuel, such as diesel,gasoline, and/or jet, based on the total CI of each crude (representedas CI1, CI2, CI3, etc.), or in other words, the sum of each CI for eachrefined component of a particular crude. In this example, adetermination of the total CI for diesel is described, however, thoseskilled in the art will understand that the determination may be readilymade for any other refined transportation fuel. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may determine the total CI for each selected crude andthe associated CIs for producing and providing the diesel from eachcrude (e.g., crude 1 total CI for diesel (CR1D), crude 2 total CI fordiesel (CR2D), and crude 3 total CI for diesel (CR3D)). The fuelintegration controller 1000 may then determine the product of the CI andthe volume of an associated refined product. In an example, prior todetermining the product of the CI and the volume of the associatedrefined product, the fuel integration controller may convert the CI tograms of CO₂ utilizing the standard energy of a barrel of oil (BOE), aswill be understood by those skilled in the art. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may then determine the total CI for producing andproviding the diesel, based on crude total CI for diesel for eachselected crude, the yield for diesel via the refinery process per theselected crude volume (in other words, the percentage of refinedtransportation fuel, such as diesel, based on the yield of the refinedtransportation fuel per the amount of crude feedstock (YD %)) and thevolume of each selected crude (V), the equation represented below. Whilethe equation below does not include the unit conversions based onstandard energy of a barrel of oil (BOE), it is understood by thoseskilled in the art that such unit conversions may be used in thecalculation of total CI:

$\frac{\begin{matrix}{\left( {{CR}\; 1\; D \times V\; 1 \times {YD}\; 1\%} \right) + \left( {{CR}\; 2D \times V\; 2 \times {YD}\; 2\%} \right) +} \\\left( {{CR}\; 3D \times V\; 3 \times {YD}\; 3\%} \right)\end{matrix}}{\left( {{YD}\; 1\% \times V\; 1} \right) + \left( {{YD}\; 2\% \times V\; 2} \right) + \left( {{YD}\; 3\% \times V\; 3} \right)}$

For the present example, and with respect to diesel yield, the fuelintegration controller 1000 may determine total diesel CI based on theCI of crude 1 and crude 3, CI of the crude 1 transport and the crude 3transport, CI of the crude 1 refinery process and crude 3 refineryprocess (including utilities), CI of a diesel distribution pathway, thevolume of crude 1 and crude 3, and the diesel yield of crude 1 and crude3. The fuel integration controller 1000 may determine total CI forgasoline and jet in the same manner, except substituting gasolinedistribution pathways and yield and jet distribution pathways and yield,respectively. For the base case that satisfies the LCFS CI limitation,the selected path, combination, variation, or selection, may include17,000 BPD of crude 1, zero barrels of crude 2, and 83,000 BPD of crude3, which provides a margin of approximately 11 dollars per barrel. Therefined transportation fuel of this base case has a determined carbonemission of 53,000 Mg per day. Further, the selected crude blends of thebase case may have a gas yield of 57,000 BPD, a diesel yield of 41,000BPD, and a jet yield of 2,000 BPD.

In the second example (Study Case 1 of Table I), a user may input alower threshold CI than what is specified by the LCFS or by some otherlow CI fuel specification. For example, a user may enter a threshold CIof 90% of the maximum allowed CI. While a lower threshold CI may beentered, various combination blends of crude oils, based on availabilityand/or capacity of downstream processing options (e.g., feedstock,transportation, etc.), may exceed the threshold CI. For example,refining capacity may severely limit the number of blends of crudes thatwill meet the threshold CI. For this Study Case 1, the user may enterthe threshold CI of 90 at the user interface 1026. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may perform the same processes as described above. Afterthese determinations, the fuel integration controller 1000 may select ablend of 30,000 BPD of crude 1, 60,000 BPD of crude 2, and 10,000 BPD ofcrude 3. Here, the refining capacity of crude 1 is limited to 30,000BPD. Working within this constraint, the fuel integration controller1000 nonetheless maximizes the selection of crude 1 at 30,000 BPD, whilecompensating for this constraint by including crude 2 into blend.Previously, in the base case, no amount of crude 2 was used. Here inStudy Case 1, the margin, approximately 6.75 dollars per barrel, may belower than in the base case, but the CI may be lower as well. In fact,the crude blend of Study Case I may reduce carbon emission by as much as6,000 Mg per day relative to the base case. This crude blend alters therefined product yield such that gasoline has a yield of 63,000 BPD,diesel has a yield of 35,000 BPD, and jet yield has a yield of 2,000BPD. Specific refined product yields may also have constraints that areto be considered by fuel integration controller 1000.

In the third example (Study Case 2 of Table I), the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may consider other factors when determining a crudeselection or combination. For example, a user may permit the fuelintegration controller 1000 to increase the capacity of one or morerefinery processing units at a one-time capital cost. Such afactor—alleviating refining processing unit bottlenecks—may beconsidered when determining possible paths to achieve the target CIthreshold. Further, such refinery capacity constraints may be specificto a particular type of crude, e.g., low CI crude. As provided in TableI, Study Case 2 has a threshold CI of 90, which is the same as StudyCase 1 and represents a 10% reduction in CI as compared to the basecase. Here, however, the fuel integration controller 1000 may considerselecting a crude blend with the possible amount of crude 1 limited to50,000 BPD (rather than 30,000 BPD with respect to Study Case 1).Obviously, increases in the amount of crude 1 above 30,000 BPD willrequire a capital expenditure to debottleneck this design constraint.After the determinations described above, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 selected 50,000 BPD of crude 1, 29,000 BPD of crude 2,and 21,000 BPD of crude 3. Again, the fuel integration controller 1000maximized the use of crude 1, even at the higher constraint of 50,000BPD. This crude selection, in conjunction adding refinery capacity forcrude 1, may yield gasoline at 64,000 BPD, diesel at 34,000 BPD, and jetfuel at 1,000 BPD. Further, the calculated margin of approximately 7.25dollars per barrel, is much increased over the margin of Study Case 1even while reducing the carbon emission the same as in Study Case 1.Moreover, this increase in margin, provides an estimated payback periodof 2.5 years for the capital expenditure to increase refining capacity.

FIGS. 16A-F are block diagrams of a system for managing the low carbonintensity energy production according to an embodiment. As describedabove, a fuel integration controller 1301 may be utilized to manage lowcarbon intensity (CI) production. For example, a fuel integrationcontroller 1301 may include an input/output in signal communication withprocurement data storage 1302, procurement computing device, procurementand distribution computing device, and/or a database. The procurementdata storage 1302 may store and send lists of available feedstock, fromvarious and multiple fuel sources 1316, such as from a plant or animalderived feedstock 1318 source or from a wellhead 1320, to the fuelintegration controller 1301. The procurement data storage 1302 mayinclude other data corresponding to each of the available feedstock(e.g., volume, availability, type, location, etc.). Further, theprocurement data storage 1302 may store a list of associated feedstocktransportation pathways 1305 and data corresponding to each feedstocktransportation pathway 1305 (e.g., volume of the feedstocktransportation pathway 1305, type of fuel consumed by the feedstocktransportation pathway 1305, etc.). In an example, the procurement datastorage 1302 may gather the data directly or indirectly from each fuelsource 1316. For example, a controller 1310, sensor, or some otherdevice, may transmit the data to the procurement data storage 1302 andthus to the fuel integration controller 1301. In another example, a usermay, via the user interface 1306, gather the data and store the data atthe procurement data storage 1302 or another database. In anotherexample, the fuel integration controller 1301 may include thefunctionality of the procurement data storage 1302. In other words,rather than including both a separate procurement data storage 1302 andfuel integration controller 1301, the system may only include the fuelintegration controller 1301.

In an embodiment, one pathway or method of transportation/distributionmay include a pipeline 1396 (as illustrated in a top-down view in FIG.16B). The pipeline 1396 may transport fuel from one point to another viamotor 1398 driven pumps 1397 located at varying lengths along thepipeline 1396. Other pumps and/or motors or engines may be utilized bythe pipeline 1396, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.The pipeline 1396 may include a controller or sensor 1395 and the motor1398 may include a controller 1399 or sensor. In such examples,utilities 1308 may be provided to the motor 1398 to drive the pump 1397(and thus move fluid through the pipeline 1396). The utilities 1308 mayinclude low CI and renewable options, such as solar electricity, windgenerated electricity, RNG, and/or other renewable fuels. Otherinformation from the pipeline's 1396 controller or sensor 1395 and themotor's 1398 controller 1399 or sensor may be sent to the procurementdata storage 1302 and distribution data storage 1338. Such informationmay include a total length of the pipeline 1396, the diameter of thepipeline 1396, the number of pumps 1397, the start and end point of thepipeline 1396, and other information as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. The information may be sent, through either thedistribution data storage 1338, the procurement data storage 1302, ordirectly, to the fuel integration controller 1301.

The data received from each fuel source may allow for the fuelintegration controller 1301 to choose a fuel source (in other words, afeedstock from a fuel source) that may lower overall carbon emissionsbased on CI and other factors. For example, a plant or animal derivedfeedstock 1318 may be environmentally friendly, as it is renewable, butmay require a longer shipment to be delivered to customers who need sucha fuel. In such examples, the longer shipment may balance out thebenefit of a renewable resource in relation to the detriment of theshipment method. Such a balance may be reflected in the CI for the plantor animal derived feedstock 1318.

The fuel integration controller 1301 may further include an input/outputin signal communication with a user interface 1306. The fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may be configured to receive inputs from user interface1306. A user may enter a threshold CI into the user interface 1306. Thethreshold CI may correspond to a particular transportation fuelproduction process. The user may enter information, other than thethreshold CI, regarding the particular fuel production process. Forexample, a user may enter or input a low CI fuel specification. The lowCI fuel specification may include the threshold CI, a maximum costassociated with the fuel production process, a type of refined productdesired, and/or at least one type of feedstock to be utilized.

Turning to FIG. 16C, and as noted above, feedstock storage tanks 1322may be utilized. Such feedstock storage tanks 1322 may containfeedstocks obtained from several sources, including but not limited tointermediate products, e.g., naphtha, from other refineries. Further,each feedstock storage tank 1322 may include a controller 1324. Thecontroller 1324 may transmit data related to a feedstock storage tanks1322 to feedstock tank data storage 1304, a database, and/or the fuelintegration controller 1301. The data sent from controller 1324 mayinclude the power utilized to pump, via pumps 1326, a feedstock to therefinery 1332, the power utilized to heat or cool the feedstock in thefeedstock storage tank 1322, a volume of the feedstock at the initialpoint of storage, a volume of the feedstock as the feedstock is pumpedfrom the feedstock storage tank 1322, and/or an emissions associatedwith the feedstock. The fuel integration controller 1301 may request thedata from the feedstock tank data storage 1304. Other tanks, such astank 1323 (or more tanks) may be included at or near refinery 1332.Fuels and/or various other components from refinery processes may bepumped to tank 1323. During certain refinery processes the fuels and/orvarious other components may be pumped back to the refinery for use. Thefuels and/or various other components may be low CI fuels and, when usedin future refinery processes, may further reduce total CI of atransportation fuel production. In another example, such fuels and/orother components may be recirculated, at 1337, through refinery 1332 tobe utilized immediately or soon in a refinery process or sub-process.

Turning to FIG. 16D, the fuel integration controller 1301 may include aninput/output in signal communication with a refinery controller at therefinery 1332. The fuel integration controller 1301 may request datafrom the refinery 1332 or refinery controller 1330. For example, thefuel integration controller 1301 may receive a list of availablerefinery processes from the refinery 1332 or refinery controller 1330 aswell as data corresponding to each refinery process (e.g., time toprocess a feedstock, yield for process, etc.). The fuel integrationcontroller 1301 may, rather than connecting to the refinery controller1330 include the functionality of the refinery controller 1330. The fuelintegration controller 1301 or refinery controller 1330 may controlvarious components and/or processes within the refinery 1332. The fuelintegration controller 1301 or refinery controller 1330 may connect to afurnace/crude heater controller 1402 to control and/or determine a fuel(e.g., RNG or another suitable fuel as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art) and temperature for a furnace/crude heater 1357 toheat an incoming feedstock. The heated incoming feedstock may flow to adistillation tower 1356, where different components of the feedstock maybe separated. The fuel integration controller 1301 may connect to adistillation tower controller or sensor 1404 to control or monitor thedistillation process. A portion may flow to vacuum distillation tower1354. The vacuum distillation tower 1354 may separate the portion itreceives further. The fuel integration controller 1301 may connect tothe vacuum distillation tower controller or sensor 1406 to control ormonitor the vacuum distillation process (e.g., such as controllingpressure and/or fuel used). A section 1363 of the refinery 1332 may beutilized to produce or refine non-transportation fuels, such as asphalt1361 and/or petroleum coke 1351. The section 1363 may include ade-asphalter unit (DAU) 1353 and a coker 1352. In such examples, anotherportion from the vacuum distillation tower 1354 may be sent to the DAU1353 to separate asphalt from the portion flowing to the DAU 1353. TheDAU 1353 may include a DAU controller 1408 or sensor to connect to thefuel integration controller 1301 to control or monitor the DAU 1353.From the DAU 1353, a portion may be output as asphalt 1361 and anotherportion, for example, pitch, may be sent to the coker 1352. The coker1352 may output petroleum coke 1351 and other gases/oils to othercomponents of the refinery 1332. The fuel integration controller 1301may connect to a coker controller 1410 or sensor to control or monitorthe coker 1352. In another example, various hydrotreaters 1358 maydesulfurize various portions of distillate or other portions (e.g.,light naphtha, heavy naphtha, kerosene, distillate, and/or other fluidsas will be understood by those skilled in the art) from the distillationtower 1356, the vacuum distillation tower 1354, the DAU 1353, and thecoker 1352. For example, light naphtha from the distillation tower 1356may flow to a hydrotreater 1358 for desulfurization. The fuelintegration controller 1301 may connect to a hydrotreater controller1412 to control the desulfurization process (e.g., type of fuel used inthe process, temperature, and pressure). The refinery 1332 may includeother components, such as an isomerization unit 1372 (e.g., to convertlinear molecules to higher octane branched molecules) and isomerizationcontroller 1414, a reformer 1374 (e.g., to convert desulfurized naphthamolecules into higher-octane molecules and to produce reformate) andreformer controller 1416, a cracker 1360 (e.g., to upgrade heavyresidual oil, by thermally cracking, to a lighter and reduced viscosityfluid) and cracker controller 1424, a merox unit 1364 (e.g., todesulfurize liquefied gas, kerosene, or jet fuel) and merox controller1426, an alkylation unit 1362 (e.g., to produce high-octane componentsfor gasoline blending) and alkylation controller 1422, gasoline blendingunit 1370 (e.g., to produce regular gasoline, premium gasoline, blendgrade gasoline, and/or other types of gasoline 1373, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art) and gasoline blending controller1418, and a distillate blending unit 1368 (e.g., to produce kerosene,jet, diesel, or other distillate fuels 1371, as will be understood bythose skilled in the art) and distillate blending controller 1420. Eachof the components or devices described above and herein may be referredto as refinery equipment. Different groups or selections of each of thecomponents or devices may be referred to as a refinery processing unitto perform refinery processes (e.g., refine a refinery feedstock). Forexample, a refinery processing unit may include a distillation tower1356, a hydrotreater 1358, a reformer 1374, a blending unit, and/orother additional or different components. As noted, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 or refinery controller 1330 may control each of thevarious components or units of the refinery 1332 listed above, such asby selecting a particular process for a component or unit, determiningutilities to power each component or unit, reducing units used in atransportation fuel production, increasing capacity of various units,determining efficient temperatures and/or pressure at which to operatedifferent components or units (e.g., operating a cracker 1360 at aspecified temperature and/or pressure), and/or other improvements orcontrols, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

As noted above, several outputs from a refinery 1332 may includenon-transportation fuels or products. As noted, asphalt 1361 and/orpetroleum coke 1351 may be products of the refinery 1332. The asphalt1361 and petroleum coke 1351, or other products of the refinery 1332,may also include a total CI based on the feedstock CI, the feedstocktransportation CI, the refinery process CI, the utility CI, and/or anydistribution process CI associated with the asphalt 1361 and petroleumcoke 1351. Further, the total CI of the asphalt 1361 and petroleum coke1351 may be based on the yield of the asphalt 1361 or petroleum coke1351, respectively. In other words, the total CI for any transportationor non-transportation fuel may be based on the portion or ratio of theCI associated with that particular transportation or non-transportationfuel, including products like asphalt 1361, petroleum coke 1351, and/orother construction products output by the refinery 1332 as willunderstood by those skilled in the art.

The fuel integration controller 1301 may further be connected to otherrefineries 1339. The fuel integration controller 1301 may, to furtherlower CI for a particular transportation fuel production, requestrefined transportation fuels or other refined fuels from the otherrefineries 1339 to be sent to tanks for storage, refinery 1332, to otherrefineries, to blending 1333, and/or directly to a convenience store.

The fuel integration controller 1301 may include an input/output insignal communication with a blending controller as well. The fuelintegration controller 1301 may request data from the blendingcontroller controlling blending operations. The fuel integrationcontroller 1301 may consider any CI associated with the blendingoperation, when determining a set of paths, combinations, or selectionsfor a fuel production process.

In another example, the fuel integration controller 1301 may include aninput/output in signal communication with a utility controller. The fuelintegration controller 1301 may request data from utilities 1308 or autility controller at utilities 1308. In another example, the refinery1332 may include utility data or control utility options (e.g., thesource of utilities used at the refinery). The utilities 1308 data mayinclude a list of available utilities, the source of each utility,and/or a CI associated with obtaining the utilities 1308. The utilitiesmay provide hydrogen 1388 to a refinery via either steam reforming 1376(provided a RNG 1390) and/or electrolysis 1378 (provided either a RNG1390, wind power 1392, and/or solar power 1394) and/or by separation forhydrogen from refinery gas streams, e.g., via membrane or pressure swingadsorption. The utilities 1308 may provide fuel 1380 (from a RNG 1390,refinery intermediates, or RD) to the refinery 1332. The utilities mayprovide water/steam 1384 (created by a RNG 1390, wind power 1392, and/orsolar power 1394) or electricity 1386 (from a RNG 1390, wind power 1392,and/or solar power 1394) to the refinery 1332. The utilities 1308 mayfurther provide power to pumps 1307, 1326 throughout the transportationfuel production or, at least, the fuel integration controller 1301 maytrack power associated with pumps 1307, 1326 utilized throughout thetransportation fuel production (in relation to the utilities CI). Theutilities 1308 may further provide power to feedstock transportationpathways 1305 or, at least, the fuel integration controller 1301 maytrack power associated with feedstock transportation pathways 1305(e.g., power for additional pumps utilized in a pipeline).

As noted above, a refined product storage tank 1350 may be utilized.Further, each refined product storage tank 1350 may include a controller1348. The controller 1348 may transmit data related to a refined productstorage tank 1350 to product tank data storage 1340, a database, and/orthe fuel integration controller 1301. The data sent from controller 1348may include the power utilized to pump a refined product from therefined product storage tank 1350, the power utilized to heat or coolthe refined product in the refined product storage tank 1350, a volumeof the refined product at the initial point of storage, a volume of therefined product as the refined product is pumped from the refinedproduct storage tank 1350, and/or an emissions associated with therefined product. The fuel integration controller 1301 may request thedata from the product tank data storage 1340.

The fuel integration controller 1301 may include an input/output insignal communication with distribution data storage 1338, a distributioncomputing device, a procurement and distribution computing device and/ora database. The fuel integration controller 1301 may request data from adistribution data storage 1338. The distribution data storage 1338 mayinclude a list of available fuel product distribution pathways 1345 andcorresponding data. The corresponding data may include a volume of thefuel product distribution pathways 1345, a type of fuel consumed by thefuel product distribution pathway 1345, and/or a location of conveniencestores 1346.

The fuel integration controller 1301 may include an input/output insignal communication with a convenience store 1346 or data storageincluding convenience store data. The data may include demand for aparticular low CI fuel or low CI fuels in general. The fuel integrationcontroller 1301 may base selections further on demand for the particularlow CI fuel. The fuel integration controller 1301 may set a threshold CIbased on demand for a particular low CI fuel (e.g., the fuel integrationcontroller 1301 may use a threshold CI of 90 if demand for a fuel with aCI of 90 is high).

As illustrated, the fuel integration controller 1301 may choose optionsfor a fuel throughout the fuel production process (e.g., from the fuelsource to the refinery 1332 to the customer). In another example, theselections noted above may be made prior to any process actuallystarting, such as, creating a plan for a future fuel production process.For example, a fuel integration controller 1301 may create a pluralityof fuel production process plans based on a set of specifications and/orrequirements. The fuel integration controller 1301 may then send arequest for the user to accept one of the plans or adjust a plan asneeded. In another example, the selections may be made sequentially oras the fuel production process is occurring. For example, a user or thefuel integration controller 1301 may select the feedstock and feedstocktransportation pathway. The user or the fuel integration controller 1301may not select the refinery process until the feedstock has arrived atthe refinery 1332, and so on. In yet another example, the fuelintegration controller 1301 may create and select a plan, as well asinitiate the fuel product process (with or without confirmations from auser). Further, the fuel integration controller 1301 may adjust a planas the actual transportation fuel production process is occurring.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments that reducecarbon intensity from feedstock procurement to hydrogen delivery tovarious end user locations according to an embodiment. Further, FIG. 18illustrates, as noted above and as disclosed in one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure, a more holistic approach to reducing carbonintensity, as well as limiting emission of certain chemicals into theatmosphere 1838. Chemicals introduced into the atmosphere 1838 as aresult of a hydrogen production may include carbon dioxide (CO₂) 1840,methane (CH₄) 1842, nitrous oxide (N₂O) 1844, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)1850, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 1846, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)1848, and/or other chemicals, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art. As a more holistic approach to carbon intensity is sought, thecarbon intensity of each process or stage in hydrogen production (e.g.,indirect and direct processes or stages) may be considered to targetcarbon intensity reduction. As such, the carbon intensity associatedwith a wellhead 1802 and/or bio-feedstock plant 1806 may be consideredfor targeted carbon intensity reductions (in other words, an indirectprocess or stage in relation to the steam reformer 1812). In otherwords, carbon intensity reductions may be sought via selections ofdifferent wellheads 1802, bio-feedstock plants 1806, and/or otherfeedstock sources (e.g., byproducts from a refinery 1810 or awater/electricity source for electrolysis). The carbon intensity offeedstock transportation pathways 1804 (such as vehicular, rail, marine,or pipeline transportation) may be considered for targeted carbonintensity reductions (in other words, an indirect process or stage inrelation to the steam reformer 1812). Further, the carbon intensity atthe steam reformer 1812 may be considered for targeted carbon intensityreductions, such as by powering at least a portion of hydrogenproduction source equipment with electricity generated by a renewablesource (from the grid or from off-grid), burning renewable natural gasin hydrogen production source fired heaters, generating steam throughrenewable natural gas-fed boilers, and sequestering carbon dioxideproduced at the steam reformer 1812. Such processes may be considereddirect processes or stages in relation to the steam reformer 1812. Thecarbon intensity for other processes or stages may be considered forcarbon intensity reduction, such as refinery processes (e.g., direct andindirect), utilities (e.g., indirect) to operate steam reformingprocesses at the steam reformer 1812, and/or hydrogen productdistribution pathways 1818 for transportation of hydrogen to a powerplant 1824, hydrogen fuel cells 1822, and/or an offsite refinery 1820 ordistribution via pipeline/piping to a refinery 1810 co-located with thesteam reformer 1812 (e.g., indirect). Further, a low CI hydrogenproduced at the steam reformer 1812 (or at another hydrogen productionfacility or source) may be utilized at the refinery 1810 (e.g., aco-located refinery) to produce a low CI refined transportation fuel1816 (e.g., the CI potentially lower than typical, due to the CI of thehydrogen utilized in refinery processes).

FIG. 19 illustrates a novel implementation 1900 of a low carbonintensity hydrogen strategy in which lower carbon intensity energyfeedstock 1926, 1906 replaces or is integrated into the procurement andconverting or transforming of natural gas feedstock 1924, as well as thedistribution of resulting hydrogen to locations accessible to end users.Such integration of lower carbon intensity energy feedstock 1926, 1906in the selection, acquisition, and conversion or transformation ofnatural gas feedstock and the distribution of resulting hydrogen lowersthe overall carbon intensity of conventional transportation and otherrefined products made available to the end user. Thus, Applicantsrecognized that a similar low carbon benefit to the direct use ofalternative, renewable energy sources by the consumer (see FIG. 1) couldbe achieved by integrating the use of such lower carbon intensity energyfeedstock in replacing or in processing of higher carbon intensityenergy feedstocks to create hydrogen that may ultimately be used (e.g.,directly or indirectly) by the consumer through traditional liquid fuelpathways, e.g., fuels, refined via refinery processing 1904, purchasedat retail outlets.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, various combinations of low carbon intensityfeedstock may be utilized in a steam reforming process 1901 to producehydrogen. The low carbon intensity feedstock may include a low carbonintensity LPG and/or naphtha 1906 procured from refinery processing 1904of various refinery feedstock, a renewable natural gas feedstock 1926,as described above, a natural gas feedstock 1924 which may or may not bea low carbon intensity natural gas feedstock, and/or some combinationthereof. While a feedstock may be of a high carbon intensity, variousother steam reforming options may be selected to reduce the overallcarbon intensity of the output hydrogen (e.g., low carbon intensityhydrogen 1902). For example, a RNG feedstock 1926 may be utilized,rather than a natural gas feedstock, as a fuel to operate the steamreforming process 1901. In another example, refinery by-products (e.g.,the low CI LPG and naphtha 1906 from refinery processing 1904) may beutilized in the steam reforming process 1901, rather than either burningoff the by-products or selling the by-products at a low cost. In anotherexample, the carbon dioxide 1918 produced during the steam reformingprocess 1901 may be sequestered (e.g., via carbon sequestration 1920) toreduce the total overall carbon intensity, rather than releasing thecarbon dioxide 1918 into the atmosphere 1922.

Such low CI hydrogen 1902 may be utilized in a variety of ways. The lowCI hydrogen 1902 may be utilized to further reduce the carbon intensityof a transportation fuel produced via the refinery processing 1904. Sucha use may enable refinery processing 1904 to output a low CI liquidtransportation fuel 1908. In another example, the low CI hydrogen 1902may be utilized in hydrogen fuel cells 1910 (e.g., vehicular fuel cells,stationary fuel cells, or other types of fuel cells that utilizehydrogen, as will be understood by those skilled in the art). Inparticular, a stationary fuel cell power system may be utilized inrefinery processing 1904 and/or at steam reforming processes 1901 topower such processes. In yet other examples, the low carbon intensityhydrogen 1902 may be utilized to generate power for the grid via a powerplant 1912. Stated another way, the low carbon intensity hydrogen 1902may be distributed to a power plant 1912. At or prior to reaching thepower plant 1912, the low CI hydrogen 1902 may be blended with anothergas normally utilized in generating power at the power plant (e.g., CH₄1916 or methane). The blended gas may be utilized at the power plant1912 to produce energy with a lower than normal carbon intensity(particularly lower than if mostly methane is utilized). Such a blendedgas could include an amount of low CI hydrogen 1902 from 1% to 20%.Further, the amount of low CI hydrogen 1902 may be provided at a fixedor steady amount to the power plant 1912. In another example, the amountof low CI hydrogen 1902 supplied to a power plant 1912 may be dependenton the configuration of the power plant 1912 (in other words, is thepower plant 1912 configured to burn a specified fuel including somepercentage of hydrogen). Such power plants 1912 and fuel cells 1910 mayprovide power to industrial and/or private consumers 1914 (e.g., fuelcells 1910 for vehicles, power generation for homes, power generationfor industrial processes, etc.). In other examples, the low CI hydrogen1902 may be combined with nitrogen to form ammonia. The low carbonintensity ammonia may be used as a fertilizer, a fuel, or as analternative for transporting pure or substantially pure hydrogen.

In another example, the utilities utilized at the steam reformingprocesses 1901 may include low carbon intensity renewable power, such aspower generated at wind farms, solar farms, hydroelectric facilities,geothermal power plants/facilities, and/or hydrogen fuel cell powersystems. Rather than transmitting this electrical power over longdistances directly to an end user, the renewable power may be integratednear its generation into the steam reforming processes 1901, that mayinclude the acquisition of feedstock and the processing of thosefeedstock into hydrogen at conventional refineries (e.g., the refineryincluding co-located steam reforming processes 1901) and other points ofintegration. Acquisition activities in which renewable electric powermay be employed are far ranging and may include the production ofnatural gas from wells by pumps and other production equipment poweredby the renewable electric power. Other acquisition activities may alsoinclude use of renewable electric power in electric power vehiclesand/or pipeline pumps to transport the natural gas to the steamreforming processes 1901. Further, renewable electric power may be usedin electric power vehicles and/or pipeline pumps to transport thehydrogen to distribution points accessible by the end user.

Rather than being transported directly to consumers by truck and/orpipeline, renewable natural gas feedstock 1924 produced from biomasswaste at various facilities may also be integrated closer to hydrogenproduction. Similar to renewable electric power, renewable natural gasfeedstock 1926 may be used to acquire and process natural gas feedstock1924 into low CI hydrogen 1902 at conventional refineries (e.g., theconventional refinery including steam reforming processes 1901) andother points of integration. In an example, such renewable natural gasmay be burned in steam reforming fired heaters or used to generate steamthrough renewable natural gas-fed boilers. Further, the renewablenatural gas may be burned to power pumps and/or used in natural gaspowered transportation modes, e.g., truck, rail, barge, etc., totransport feedstock and/or finished hydrogen.

Other alternative, low carbon intensity intermediates may be employedand integrated into the processing of hydrogen to lower the overallcarbon intensity of the hydrogen (as well as any other productsutilizing the hydrogen). For example, biodiesel may be generated fromone or more renewable energy sources, e.g., soybeans, for reforming(e.g., naphtha or steam reforming). Such biodiesel generation may occurin close proximity to or co-located with a refinery. In one or moreembodiments, such biodiesel may be transported to a refinery location byvehicle (e.g., truck), rail, pipeline, or barge that employs a lowcarbon intensity fuel, such as renewable natural gas, renewable diesel,or renewable electric power. Another alternative, low carbon intensityintermediate may include ethanol that is derived from corn and/or otherplant-based materials. The reforming location for these alternative, lowcarbon intensity intermediates may include a steam reformer or naphthareformer at a refinery. Once at the steam reformer location, thebiodiesel, ethanol, or other low CI intermediate may be converted ortransformed into hydrogen or used as a fuel at the reformer.

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a control system 2000 for managingthe low carbon intensity hydrogen production, as represented by the flowdiagram 2002. The controller 2004 of system 2000 may include a processor2006 (or one or more processors) and memory 2008, uses certain inputs2012 and provides certain outputs 2010 relative to the low carbonintensity hydrogen production. These inputs 2012 may include, but arenot limited to, raw energy data regarding each production step, thecarbon intensity of standard steam reforming processing steps, thedefinition of a low carbon intensity fuel in total grams of carbondioxide equivalent per mega joule, algorithms for calculating carbonemissions for various process steps, yields of converted or transformedproducts based on the feedstock(s), and/or carbon emissions for processsteps not determined by the controller 2004.

Responsive to these inputs 2012, controller 2004 may perform severalfunctions. In one or more embodiments, the controller 2004 may receiveraw process data from which the carbon emissions for each productionstep may be determined, and then determines the carbon emissionsassociated with that production step on a grams of carbon dioxideequivalent per mega joule basis. The controller 2004 may also select oneor more transportation and/or hydrogen production processes to achieve adesired reduction in carbon emissions. For example, the controller 2004may select one or more procurement transportation pathways 2020 to theexclusion of other viable transportation pathways in order to reduce thegrams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule for the materialtransported. The controller 2004 may similarly select one or morehydrogen production processes (e.g., steam reforming processes 2022) toachieve reductions in carbon emissions. These hydrogen productionprocessing reductions in carbon emissions may be as much as about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, or more as compared tostandard hydrogen production processing steps. In at least oneembodiment, the controller 2004 may verify the carbon emissions for eachselected production step and generate an audit record with the totalcarbon intensity, e.g., grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule, for all production steps from feedstock being acquired from itssource to the finished hydrogen delivered to their distributionlocations, i.e., from natural gas at the wellhead or other feedstockfrom other sources to hydrogen delivered to the end user (e.g., powerplants 2026, low CI fuel cells 2028, and/or refinery processes 2030).

Outputs 2010 from the controller 2004 may be displayed through agraphical user interface positioned at the steam reformer (or co-locatedrefinery) and/or at remote locations, such as at feedstock sources,transportation hubs, etc. These outputs 2010 may include, but are notlimited to, the selection and control of transportation and/or hydrogenproduction processes, the determined carbon emissions for each possibleproduction step, the verified carbon emissions for each selectedproduction step, and/or an audit record detailing the total carbonintensity, e.g., grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule, forthe complete production of distributed hydrogen from selected feedstock.In one or more embodiments, the audit record may list the carbonemissions for each production step such that the total carbon intensityfor the complete production of the hydrogen may be verified. In one ormore embodiments, controller 2004 sends signals to process equipment,e.g. pumps, boiler, furnaces, etc. at the hydrogen production facilityor source (e.g., at a refinery, an electrolysis facility or source,etc.) to implement the controller-determined strategy to achieve a lowcarbon hydrogen production. In one or more embodiments, the controller2004 may send signals to acquire certain feedstock, to transport one ormore feedstock, to store the one or more feedstock, to storeconverted/processed/transformed hydrogen, and to transport the hydrogento distribution locations.

FIG. 20 provides flow diagram 2002. As described herein, severalproduction step variables account for low carbon intensity hydrogenproduction. As shown, the feedstock may be selected from one or morenatural gas feedstock at 2014 (e.g., methane), one or more refinerybyproducts 2016 (e.g., low carbon intensity LPG or naphtha, otheroffgas, or refinery byproducts), and/or RNG/biomass gas feedstock at2018, each at various locations relative to the hydrogen productionprocessing facility or source. The feedstock may be selected, at leastin part, on the basis of their innate carbon intensity when combusted,as measured by grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mega joule.Alternatively, and in addition, the feedstock may be selected on thebasis of the carbon intensity associated with their procurement oracquisition at the source. The selection of one or more procurementtransportation modes 2020 to transport such feedstock to the hydrogenproduction processing facility or source increases the carbon emissionsassociated with the selected feedstock. These carbon emissions may bereduced by selecting lower carbon emission options from one or more ofvehicles (e.g., trucks), rail, pipeline or ship/barge, depending on theavailability of such transportation modes and the distance to betransported. Other transportation mode variables include the type oftransportation fuel used, e.g., a high carbon intensity fuel versus arenewable, low carbon intensity fuel. For example, renewable diesel maybe used in trucks, trains, and ships/barges. However, renewable dieseland/or renewable electrical power may be used to operate pipeline pumps.

At the hydrogen production processing facility or source, converting,transforming, and/or processing steps (e.g., steam reforming processes2022) are conducted to transform the feedstock into hydrogen of varyingpurities, such as 99 % pure hydrogen. With respect to the converting ortransforming of feedstock, the choice of converting, transforming,and/or processing steps is largely dependent, however, on the propertiesand quantities of both the selected feedstock and the type of hydrogenproduction facility or source (e.g., electrolysis may utilize water as afeedstock, while reforming may utilize various hydrocarbon materials asfeedstock). Thus, while the converting, transforming, and/or processingsteps are themselves variables, they also depend at least in part onother variables. Each of the converting, transforming, and/or processingsteps for a particular feedstock or intermediate has associated carbonemissions that may increase or decrease the carbon intensity of itsproduct, as measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule. Responsive to input data, controller 2004 determines the carbonintensity added or subtracted for each converting, transforming, and/orprocessing step, which is dependent on other variables, e.g., feedstockselection, properties, or other steps that decrease or increase carbonintensity (e.g., carbon sequestration as described further below).

The converting, transforming, and/or processing steps (e.g., steamreforming process 2022) may have at least some of their carbon emissionsoffset such that their products have a lower carbon intensity thanwithout the offset. For example, hydrogen production and other processesthat are driven by low carbon energy sources, such as renewables, mayoffset the higher carbon emissions of standard hydrogen production(e.g., steam reforming) and/or processing steps. These offsettingprocesses may include one or more of: producing electrical power for thebenefit of the hydrogen production facility or source through renewablesources such as wind, solar, geothermal power plants/facilities,hydroelectric (e.g., via grid tied renewable sources or nearby off-gridrenewable sources), and/or hydrogen fuel cell power systems, employingrenewable fuels such as renewable diesel and renewable natural gas inhydrogen production facility or source boilers and/or fired heaters,reducing by at least one or more the number of hydrogen productionprocessing units that convert or transform the feedstock, using lowcarbon intensity fuels for heat generation, etc.

One or more distribution transportation modes 2024 may also be selectedto transport the final hydrogen to a distribution location accessible tothe end user. As with the transport of feedstock, the transport ofrefined products may increase the carbon emissions associated with thetransportation fuel provided to the end user. These carbon emissions maybe reduced by selecting lower carbon emission options from one or moreof vehicles (e.g., trucks), rail, pipeline or ship/barge, depending onthe availability of such transportation modes and the distance to betransported. The type of transportation fuel used, e.g., a high carbonintensity fuel versus a renewable, low carbon intensity fuel, is anothervariable for each transportation mode that may be selected to reduce thecarbon emissions associated with this production step. Finally, the gasor liquid hydrogen may be made available to different end users fordifferent purposes. For example, hydrogen may be stored as a gas or as aliquid. Further, as a gas, hydrogen may be stored under pressure (e.g.,in a pressurized storage vessel). Such storage may indirectly cause someincrease in carbon intensity. As noted, different users may utilize thehydrogen in different ways. For example, if the end user is a refinery,the hydrogen may be utilized in various refinery processes 2030, such ashydrotreating or hydrocracking or as fuel or to be mixed with fuel topower the refinery. Further, the refinery may be co-located with orinclude the steam reformer. As such, the carbon intensity for thedistribution may be minimal (e.g., the power to pump the hydrogen toeither storage or relevant refinery processes). The end user may be lowCI hydrogen fuel cells 2028. In other words, the hydrogen may beprovided to fuel cells as fuel for the generation of electricity. Insuch examples, the fuel cells may be smaller fuel cells for vehicles orlarger fuel cells for stationary fuel cell power systems (e.g., toprovide power to a refinery). In another example, the hydrogen may beprovided to a hydrogen fueling station. The hydrogen fueling station mayprovide pumps for consumers to re-fuel hydrogen fuel cell basedvehicles. The end user may also be a power plant 2026. The power plant2026 may primarily utilize methane or other similar gases to produceelectricity. In such examples, blending the methane or other gases withhydrogen may lower the total overall carbon intensity of the energyproduced at the power plant.

FIG. 21 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition andconversion or transformation of higher carbon intensity feedstock intolower carbon intensity hydrogen as well as the distribution of theresulting lower carbon intensity hydrogen to the end user. Selectedrefinery byproducts 2102, natural gas 2104, and/or plant/animal derivedfeedstock 2106 may be transported via various transportation modes 2108,which may include one or more of vehicle, rail, marine or pipelinetransport. The transport mode may be selected to further limit carbonemissions by employing low carbon intensity fuels, such as renewablediesel, renewable natural gas, petroleum natural gas, etc. In one ormore embodiments, the transported feed stocks are stored in tanks orfacilities 2110 The manner and length of time of such storage may beselected so as to decrease the carbon emissions resulting from storage.

The stored feedstock are then converted, transformed, and/or processed(e.g., at a steam reformer 2112 or at other hydrogen productionprocesses) through conventional processing steps, each of whichincreases (or in some situations decreases) the carbon emissionsattributable to the converted/transformed/processed materials. However,as described previously, certain hydrogen production processes may beemployed to decrease the carbon emissions with respect to conventionalprocessing steps. The most numerous of these carbon intensity reducingprocessing steps are associated with the utility infrastructure 2126. Inaddition to the feedstock, refineries, hydrogen production facilities orsources, and/or biomass processing facilities largely depend on variousutilities, including electrical power (e.g., solar 2130, wind 2132,hydroelectric, geothermal power plants/facilities, fuel cell powersystems, etc.), fuel 2134 (e.g., natural gas, diesel, refinedintermediates), and water/steam 2128, to operate. As shown in FIG. 21,there are several options for providing these required utilities withlower carbon intensity than they may otherwise normally be supplied. Forexample, electrical power may be supplied by wind turbines 2132, solararrays 2130, renewable natural gas/natural gas 2134, hydroelectricpower, and/or hydrogen fuel cell power systems. Similarly, the pumpingand treatment of water and the generation of steam may employ energyobtained from wind turbines 2132, solar arrays 2130, renewable naturalgas/natural gas 2134, hydroelectric power, and/or hydrogen fuel cellpower systems. Renewable natural gas may also be used along with one ormore of renewable diesel and/or refinery intermediates as fuels forboilers and fired heaters. Hydrogen generation may be accomplished atlower carbon intensity through an electrolyzer 2136 in addition to asteam reformer 2112. The electrolyzer 2136 may be powered by electricitygenerated from wind turbines 2132, solar arrays 2130, renewable naturalgas/natural gas 2134, hydroelectric power, hydrogen fuel cell powersystems, RNG-fired turbines, and/or RNG-produced steam letdown. Thefeedstock for the electrolyzer 2136 may include varying types of water2128, such as gray water, treated gray water, salt water, fresh water,and/or other types of water 2128, as will be understood by those skilledin the art. Carbon capture/sequestration may also be used anywhere inthe hydrogen production and/or processing facility that hydrocarbonfuels are combusted to carbon dioxide or that the process creates carbondioxide and the carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere as aby-product. Sequestering carbon dioxide that otherwise would go to theatmosphere may have a carbon emissions neutral effect or even subtractfrom the carbon intensity of the fuel product associated with the carbonsequestration. Heat integration and efficiency improvements may beincluded as additional techniques to reduce the carbon emissionsattributable to converting or transforming feedstock into hydrogen.

In one or more embodiments, the hydrogen may be stored in tanks orfacilities 2114, 2138 prior to transport or distribution. The manner andlength of time of such storage may be selected so as to decrease thecarbon emissions resulting from storage. The type of storage may varydepending on the use of the hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen may bestored in a pressurized storage vessel as a gas. In another example, thehydrogen may be converted to ammonia and may be stored as a liquid. Inyet another example, the hydrogen may be cooled to a liquid and storedin thermally insulated and pressurized storage vessels. Other types ofstorage may be utilized for the hydrogen, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. The hydrogen may also be transported directly afterproduction for immediate use (e.g., transported via pipeline/piping to aco-located or onsite refinery 2116 for immediate use in refineryprocesses utilizing hydrogen). After storage, the hydrogen may betransported via various transportation modes 2118 to variousdistribution locations, such as to an offsite refinery 2120, tofacilities as a fuel for fuel cells 2122, and/or to a power plant 2124for blending with fuel for the power plant (e.g., blending with methaneto reduce the overall carbon intensity of the methane and, thus,reducing the carbon intensity of the power generated by the power plant2124). As with the feedstock transportation 2108, the transportationmodes 2118 for the hydrogen may include one or more of vehicles (e.g.,trucks), rail, marine or pipeline transport. The transport mode may beselected to further limit carbon emissions by employing low carbonintensity fuels, such as renewable diesel, renewable natural gas,regular natural gas, etc.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a system 2200 for managing thelow carbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment. Thesystem 2200 may include a hydrogen integration controller 2202. Thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to various othercontrollers, sensors, and/or computing devices utilized throughouthydrogen production to plan and/or control the hydrogen production. Forexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to acontroller at a feedstock source 2204, other controllers at otherfeedstock sources, or to a database storing information regarding thefeedstock source 2204 and/or other feedstock sources. As such, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may obtain various data points orinformation in relation to different available feedstock at feedstocksources and the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may select one ormore of the available feedstock for hydrogen production, based on thedata points or information obtained. Such data points or information mayinclude type of available feedstock, amount of available feedstock,location of available feedstock, and general availability of feedstock(e.g., when the feedstock may be available for shipment). Examples offeedstock may include natural gas, renewable natural gas, and/orrefinery byproducts 2206. The natural gas may be located at a wellheador other location where natural gas may be located. The natural gas maybe methane or another natural gas suitable for conversion to hydrogen.The refinery byproducts may include offgas produced at a refinery. Inparticular, the offgas may include methane, ethane, propane, butane,and/or other gases produced as byproducts from various refineryprocesses (e.g., naphtha reforming or catalytic reforming). Otherfeedstock, such as water, may be included in the available feedstocksources 2204 (e.g., to be utilized for electrolysis).

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to controllers,sensors, a database and/or computing devices related to a feedstocktransportation pathway. As such, the hydrogen integration controller2202 may obtain various data points or information in relation todifferent available feedstock transportation pathways and the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may select one or more of the availablefeedstock transportation pathways for the hydrogen production, based onthe various data points or information. In an example, the availabletypes of transportation (e.g., pipeline, marine vessel, vehicle, and/orrail 2208) may depend on various factors, such as the type and amount offeedstock selected, as well as the type of one or more hydrogenproduction processes to be utilized in the hydrogen production (e.g.,electrolysis or steam reforming).

Further, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect tocontrollers, sensors, and/or computing devices associated with a tank2210 (e.g., a feedstock storage tank) and/or pressurized storage vessel2220 (e.g., for hydrogen storage). The tank 2210, pressurized storagevessel 2220, or various other tanks may be positioned at various pointsbetween a feedstock source 2204, the reformer 2216 (or other hydrogenproducing source), and an end user 2230 (e.g., offsite refinery, powerplants, and/or fuel cells 2232). For example, the tank 2210 may belocated on-site at the reformer 2216 (e.g., at a co-located refinery2224). The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may obtain various datapoints or information in relation to feedstock stored in tank 2210(e.g., time, volume, heating/cooling, pumping, and emissions 2212)and/or hydrogen stored in a pressurized storage vessel (e.g., time,volume, heating/cooling, and/or liquid/gas 2222). The hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may select feedstock stored in the tank 2210or other tanks for use in the hydrogen production and/or where todistribute the produced hydrogen stored in the pressurized storagevessel 2220 or other pressurized storage vessels (e.g., to a co-locatedrefinery 2224 or an offsite refinery, power plants, or fuel cells 2232).

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may control a reformer 2216and/or connect to controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices at thereformer 2216. The controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices mayfurther be separate from or located at a co-located refinery 2224. Thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may obtain various data points orinformation in relation to different available reformer processes of thereformer 2216 and the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may selectone or more of the available reformer processes for the hydrogenproduction, based on the various data points or information. Thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may initiate and/or control theselected reformer processes at the reformer 2216. For example, when aparticular reformer process is selected, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may initiate the reformer process or transmit aninitiation to a controller of the reformer 2216. The hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may connect to other controllers, sensors,and/or computing devices at other hydrogen producing facilities orsources. The hydrogen producing facilities or sources may include ahydrogen electrolyzer plant or facility, a naphtha reformer or catalyticreformer, and/or other refinery processes that produce hydrogen.

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to a utilityprovider 2234 or controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices of autility provider 2234. The utility provider 2234 may provide utilitiesfor use in the reformer 2216, as well as at various other pointsthroughout the hydrogen production. The utility provider 2234 may beproximate to, nearby, or at the reformer 2216 and may utilize renewableresources. For example, the utility provider 2234 may provide and/ortrack utilities for use at the feedstock source 2204, at eachtransportation/distribution pathway, at each tank (e.g., tank 2210 andpressurized storage vessel 2220), and/or at other points or processes inthe hydrogen production. As such, the hydrogen integration controller2202 may obtain data regarding the available utilities, as well asavailable utilities for the hydrogen production. Based on such data, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may select one or more utilitiesfor the hydrogen production (e.g., utilities, such as power generated bywind, solar, and/or RNG 2236, for use in the one or more selectedhydrogen production processes).

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to a refinery (orco-located refinery 2224), a fuel integration controller (as describedabove), and/or other controllers, sensors, and/or computing devices of arefinery (or co-located refinery 2224). The hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may, rather than selecting a distribution pathway,determine that direct transfer or transportation of hydrogen isappropriate. For example, an amount of hydrogen may be required for aparticular transportation fuel production process. A fuel integrationcontroller or other controller of the refinery may signal the amount ofhydrogen to be utilized. The hydrogen integration controller 2202, afterproduction of the hydrogen at the reformer 2216, may select or set acertain amount of the produced hydrogen for transfer or transportationto the refinery (e.g., the co-located refinery 2224). In such examples,a low CI hydrogen may further lower the CI of a transportation fuel.Further, the excess hydrogen produced at the reformer 2216 may bedistributed for other uses.

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to controllers,sensors, a database, and/or computing devices related to a hydrogendistribution pathway. As such, the hydrogen integration controller 2202may obtain various data points or information in relation to differentavailable hydrogen distribution pathways and the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may select one or more of the available hydrogendistribution transportation pathways based on the various data points orinformation.

The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to controllers,sensors, and/or computing devices at a distribution point or terminal(e.g., offsite refinery, power plants, and/or fuel cells 2232). Forexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may monitor or trackhydrogen consumption (in other words, demand) at the offsite refinery,power plants, and/or fuel cells 2232. Based on the consumption ordemand, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may initiate hydrogenproduction for a hydrogen with a particular CI. Further, based onconsumption or demand, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 mayselect different aspects of the hydrogen production (e.g., a low CIfeedstock, carbon sequestration, renewable utilities, etc.). Suchselections may further be based on carbon credits currently held by ahydrogen producer. In other words, a reformer 2216 may produce largequantities of low CI hydrogen, which may not or may minimally affectcurrently held carbon credits. Based on the currently held carboncredits, as well as other factors (cost of feedstock, demand, etc.), thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may initiate selection of aspectsof a low CI or a high CI hydrogen production process. Further still, theselections may be based on currently available utilities. For example,solar power may not be available for electrolysis for a specific day orperiod of time. Based on such availability, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may select the reformer 2216 for producing hydrogen forthat particular time frame (e.g., the time frame where solar power isnot available for electrolysis).

FIGS. 23A-D are flow diagrams, implemented in a controller, for managingthe low carbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment.The method 2300 is detailed with reference to the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 and system 2200 of FIG. 22. Unless otherwise specified,the actions of method 2300 may be completed within the hydrogenintegration controller 2202. Specifically, method 2300 may be includedin one or more programs, protocols, or instructions loaded into thememory of the hydrogen integration controller 2202 and executed on theprocessor or one or more processors of the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202. The order in which the operations are described is notintended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of thedescribed blocks may be combined in any order and/or in parallel toimplement the methods.

At block 2302, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may receive athreshold CI for an amount of hydrogen to be produced during a hydrogenproduction process. The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may receivethe threshold CI from a user, user interface, a low CI hydrogenspecification (e.g., input by a user or stored in a database), acontroller, memory of the hydrogen integration controller 2202, a fuelintegration controller, a supervisory controller, and/or another device.In response to a reception of the threshold CI, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may utilize or assign the input threshold CI as acurrent threshold CI. The current threshold CI may correspond to aparticular hydrogen production process or operation. In other words, thethreshold CI may vary for different hydrogen production processes.

Once a current threshold CI is set, assigned, received, and/ordetermined, at block 2304, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 mayselect one or more available feedstock from a fuel or feedstock source2204. As noted above, the available feedstock may include natural gas(e.g., from a wellhead and/or hydrocarbon gases or liquids derived fromcrude oil or naphtha), renewable natural gas (e.g., hydrocarbon gases orliquids derived from pyrolysis oil, naphtha, soybeans, and tallow),and/or refinery byproducts (e.g., offgas or other gases produced asbyproducts at a refinery or co-located refinery 2224) 2206 from avariety of sources. In an example, the hydrogen integration controller2202 may determine a list or set of available feedstock from a userinput (via a user interface), a database, a procurement controller,procurement computing device, procurement and distribution computingdevice, the memory of the hydrogen integration controller 2202, and/oranother device. Further, data or information on available feedstock maybe a subset of data or information on all available feedstock based onavailable hydrogen production sources or facilities (e.g., ifelectrolysis is not an option for producing hydrogen, then water may notbe available as a feedstock). As such, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may select one or more available feedstock from thesubset of available feedstock.

In response to a selection of the one or more available feedstock, atblock 2306, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine afeedstock CI. The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determinefeedstock CI based on the ratio, percentage, or blend of the feedstock'sinherent CI, the type of feedstock, the location of the feedstock (e.g.,distance from the reformer 2216, tank 2210, or other tanks), the powerused or emissions generated by obtaining or producing the feedstock,and/or the volume of the feedstock. In another example, the feedstock CImay be known or given (e.g., via the user interface, database,controller, etc.). Further, as one or more available feedstock aredetermined or selected, the feedstock CI may be determined based on theratio or blend of the determined or selected one or more availablefeedstock (e.g., the ratio of the CI of two or more differentfeedstock).

In response to a determination of the feedstock CI, at block 2308, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine a feedstocktransportation CI for each available feedstock transportation pathwayfor the selected one or more available feedstock. The availablefeedstock transportation pathways may include pipeline transportation,marine vessel transportation, vehicular transportation (e.g., a truck),and/or rail transportation 2208. As noted above, different feedstock maybe deliverable via particular feedstock transportation pathways. Assuch, based on the selected one or more available feedstock, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine the feedstocktransportation CI. The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may furtherdetermine the feedstock transportation CI for each available feedstocktransportation pathway based on the volume of the feedstocktransportation pathway, the fuel utilized by the feedstocktransportation pathway, and the distance the feedstock transportationpathway may travel to deliver the feedstock from the feedstock source2204 to a tank 2210, reformer 2216, or other hydrogen productionfacilities or sources.

As noted above, feedstock storage in a tank 2210 (e.g., a feedstockstorage tank) may be associated with a CI. In other words, storing afeedstock in a tank 2210 may lead to carbon emissions, based on variousfactors, such as time of storage, volume of the tank 2210, volume of thefeedstock to be stored, power required to transfer feedstock to and fromthe tank 2210 (e.g., via a pump), power and time required to heat/coolthe feedstock, and/or the emissions associated with the storage of thefeedstock 2212 (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses, breathinglosses, and flashing losses). In such cases where feedstock storage maybe an option, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determinefeedstock storage CI based on those factors. Further, a CI may beassociated with transporting the stored feedstock to the reformer 2216or other hydrogen production facilities or sources. The stored feedstockmay be transported via pipeline, marine vessel, vehicle (e.g., a truck),and/or rail 2214. The stored feedstock transportation CI may be based onthe volume of the stored feedstock transportation pathway, the fuelutilized by the stored feedstock transportation pathway, and thedistance the stored feedstock transportation pathway may travel todeliver the stored feedstock from the tank 2210 to the reformer 2216 orother hydrogen production facilities or sources.

In response to a determination of the feedstock transportation CI (orfeedstock storage CI), at block 2310, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may determine the reformer process CI and/or the CI forother hydrogen production facility or source processes. In suchexamples, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may obtain a list ofavailable hydrogen production facility or source processes from ahydrogen production facility or source controller at, for example, thereformer 2216 or other hydrogen production facilities or sources, adatabase, or the memory of the hydrogen integration controller 2202. Inanother example, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determinethe hydrogen production facility or source process CI for each hydrogenproduction facility or source processes based on the type of feedstockselected and the yield of the hydrogen production facility or sourceprocess. As noted above, high CI hydrogen production facility or sourceoperations or processes may be offset by the use of offsettingpractices. For example, a steam reformer (e.g., reformer 2216) may becapable of utilizing heat from a heat exchanger network. Further, thehydrogen production facility or source may utilize carbon sequestrationto offset high CI hydrogen production facility or source processes, aswill be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, a steamreformer (e.g., reformer 2216) may produce an amount of hydrogen (H₂)and carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as other gases or liquids. The carbondioxide may, if released into the atmosphere, contribute to the overallCI of the produced hydrogen. Rather than releasing the carbon dioxideinto the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide may be captured or sequestered,thus lowering the overall CI of the hydrogen.

In response to a determination of the reformer or hydrogen productionfacility or source process CI, at block 2312, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may determine the utilities CI. In such examples, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may obtain a list of availableutilities from a reformer controller at the reformer 2216, a controllerat another hydrogen production facility or source, a utility controllerat a utility provider 2234, a database, the memory of the hydrogenintegration controller 2202. In another example, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may determine the utilities CI for eachavailable utility based on the type utilities to be used during refineryprocesses. As noted above, high CI hydrogen production facility orsource (e.g., reformer 2216) operations may be offset by the use of lowCI utilities. For example, renewable fuels from a utility provider 2234may be provided to a hydrogen production facility or source (e.g.,reformer 2216) to convert or transform a high CI feedstock. Theutilities may include different sources or forms of water/steam, ofelectricity (e.g., solar, wind, renewable gas, etc. 2236), and/or ofother fuels 2218 (e.g., renewable natural gas or natural gas). Otherutilities may include hydroelectric utilities and/or hydrogen fuel cellpower systems. In an example, a utility provider 2234 may be an energyproducing facility connected to the grid, an energy producing facilitynearby or proximate to the refinery 2234 and/or the reformer 2216, or anenergy producing facility nearby or at and dedicated to the refinery2234 and/or reformer 2216. As noted, the utility provider 2234 (e.g.,the energy producing facility) may produce energy via renewableresources (e.g., a wind farm located nearby or at the refinery 2234and/or reformer 2216). In another example, the utility provider 2234(e.g., the energy producing facility) may produce energy via fossilfuels and/or renewable resources. The utilities CI may further include aCI associated with utilities used throughout the hydrogen production.The utilities CI may be further based on utilities used at the feedstocksource 2204 (e.g., utilities used to obtain, procure, or produce afeedstock), during feedstock transportation (e.g., power utilized at apump to pump feedstock to another location), used at the tank 2210(e.g., a feedstock storage tank), during hydrogen distribution (e.g.,power utilized at a pump to pump hydrogen to another location), and/orused at any other point in the hydrogen production.

As noted above, hydrogen storage in a pressurized storage vessel 2220(in other words, a hydrogen storage tank) may be associated with a CI.In other words, storing hydrogen in a pressurized storage vessel 2220may lead to carbon emissions, based on various factors, such as time ofstorage, volume of the pressurized storage vessel 2220, volume ofhydrogen to be stored, power required to transfer feedstock to and fromthe pressurized storage vessel 2220 (e.g., via a pump), power and timerequired to heat/cool the hydrogen, and/or the emissions associated withthe storage of the hydrogen, and the type of hydrogen to be stored 2222(e.g., liquid or gas). In such cases where hydrogen storage may be anoption, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine hydrogenstorage CI based on those factors. Further, a CI may be associated withtransporting the hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility orsource (e.g., reformer 2216) to a co-located refinery 2224 or thepressurized storage vessel 2220. The hydrogen may be transported viapipeline, marine vessel, vehicle (e.g., a truck), and/or rail 2228. Thestored hydrogen transportation CI may be based on the volume of thestored hydrogen pathway, the fuel utilized by the stored hydrogenpathway, and the distance the stored hydrogen pathway may travel todeliver the hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility or source(e.g., reformer 2216) to the pressurized storage vessel 2220.

In response to a determination of the utilities CI, at block 2314, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine a hydrogendistribution CI for each available hydrogen distribution pathway forhydrogen from a hydrogen production facility or source, a reformer 2216,or pressurized storage vessels (e.g., pressurized storage vessel 2220).The available hydrogen distribution pathways may include pipelinetransportation, marine vessel transportation, truck or vehiculartransportation, and/or rail transportation 2228. The hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may further determine the hydrogendistribution CI for each available hydrogen distribution pathway basedon the volume of the hydrogen distribution pathway, the fuel utilized bythe hydrogen distribution pathway, and the distance the hydrogendistribution pathway may travel to deliver the hydrogen from thehydrogen production facility or source or a reformer 2216 to apressurized storage vessel 2220, an offsite refinery, power plants,and/or fuel cells 2232.

In response to a determination of the hydrogen distribution CI, at block2316, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine the totalCI for each variation of selections noted above. For example, for theselected one or more available feedstock, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may determine total CI based on a first feedstocktransportation pathway, a first hydrogen production facility or sourceprocess, a first utility, and/or a first hydrogen distribution method.The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may then determine the total CIfor the next variation and so on. The hydrogen integration controller2202 may further base the total CI on the volume of the selected one ormore available feedstock and/or the yield percentage of the hydrogenproduction facility or source process (in other words, the volume of thehydrogen per the original feedstock volume). Other factors may be takeninto account for total CI.

In response to a determination of total CI, at block 2318, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may determine whether all blends orselections or, at least, a number of blends or selections of the one ormore available feedstock (and the variations of the other selectionsdescribed above) have been considered (e.g., if a total CI has beendetermined for all variations of feedstock combinations or paths). Ifall blends or selections or a number of blends or selections of the oneor more available feedstock have not been considered, at block 2324, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may select another of the one ormore available feedstock and determine total CI, as described above. Ifall of the one or more available feedstock or, at least, a particularamount or set of ratios or blends of the one or more available feedstockhave been considered, then the hydrogen integration controller 2202, atblock 2320, may determine whether any path, combination, variation, orfinal selection does not exceed the threshold CI. If no path,combination, variation, or final selection does not exceed the thresholdCI (in other words, if all paths, combinations, variations, or finalselections exceed the threshold CI), at block 2321, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may transmit a notification to a user,prompting the user to select a new threshold CI. In another example, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may automatically increase thethreshold CI based on a specified amount. The hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202, at block 2322, may wait until a new threshold CI isreceived. When a new threshold CI is submitted or received by thehydrogen integration controller 2202, the current threshold CI is set tothe new threshold CI and, at block 2324, another of the one or moreavailable feedstock may be selected and each iteration or a number ofiterations may be determined again, as described above.

If at least one path, combination, variation, or final selection doesnot exceed the threshold CI, at block 2326, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may determine a set of paths, combinations, variations,or selections with the lowest total CI. In some cases, one path,combination, variation, or selection may not exceed the threshold CI,while in other cases many paths or selections may not exceed thethreshold CI. Each path, combination, variation, or selection mayinclude a selected one or more available feedstock, one or more selectedfeedstock transportation pathways, one or more selected hydrogenproduction operations or processes, one or more selected utilities,and/or one or more selected hydrogen distribution pathways, as well as acorresponding CI for each selection.

Based on the set of paths, combinations, variations, or selections, atblock 2328, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine aselection of a path, combination, variation, or selection from the setof paths or selections. The hydrogen integration controller 2202 mayselect the path, combination, variation, or selections based on, inaddition to lowest total CI, time of availability of each of theselected one or more available feedstock, a time for delivery to the oneor more hydrogen production facilities or sources by the feedstocktransportation pathway, a time to process a feedstock utilizing theselected one or more hydrogen production operations or processes, a timeto delivery from the one or more hydrogen production facilities orsources to an end user 2230 by each of the selected one or more hydrogendistribution pathways, the cost of each selection, any hydrogenproduction currently in progress or in queue, and/or customer demand forhydrogen of a particular CI. So, as an example, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may select the path, combination, variation, orselection having a lower than threshold CI (although not necessarily thelowest CI) and more efficient pathway (e.g., from feedstock tocustomer), as described above. An efficient pathway may include ashorter distance to travel overall (e.g., from feedstock source tocustomer), the time of availability for the feedstock, the length oftime to convert or transform a particular feedstock (which may be basedon a type of feedstock), the length of time a feedstock or hydrogen maybe stored at any point in the hydrogen production, cost issuesassociated with each of the selection, and/or a high demand for ahydrogen of a particular CI.

In response to determination of a selection of the path, combination,variation, or selections, at block 2330, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may generate and transmit an estimated or initial auditreport to a user, user interface, database, and/or other device. Theaudit report may include the CI of each selection and the total CI. Theestimated audit report may include other information regarding each partof the planned or selected hydrogen production, such as where theselected feedstock is from, the type and volume of the selectedfeedstock, the type of feedstock transportation pathways (as well asother details on the feedstock transportation pathway), the selectedhydrogen production process, the estimated yield of the hydrogenproduction process, the selected utilities, the source of the selectedutilities, the type of hydrogen distribution pathways (as well as otherdetails regarding the hydrogen distribution pathway), length of time forstorage at any point in the process, and/or an overall timeline of thehydrogen production. In another example, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202 may generate the estimated or initial audit report basedon a request from a user and/or user interface.

In another example, the hydrogen integration controller 2202, at block2332, may transmit a feedstock request. The feedstock request mayinclude the selected one or more available feedstock and the selectedfeedstock transportation pathway. In another example, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may transmit a confirmation of the feedstockrequest prior to transmitting the feedstock request. For example, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may transmit a request forconfirmation of a feedstock request of the selected one or moreavailable feedstock to a user interface or a procurement computingdevice. In response to reception of the confirmation (e.g., from theuser interface or procurement computing device), the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may transmit the feedstock request to aprocurement computing device, procurement controller, the user interface(which may include a procurement sub-routine or instructions), aprocurement and distribution computing device, or other device.

Once the feedstock request has been delivered to the hydrogen productionfacility or source (e.g., reformer 2216), at block 2334, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may determine the actual CI for the selectedone or more available feedstock and corresponding feedstocktransportation pathway. The hydrogen integration controller 2202 maydetermine whether, in relation to the determined feedstock CI andfeedstock transportation CI, the actual CI for either the selected oneor more available feedstock and corresponding feedstock transportationpathway has increased. If an increase is determined, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202, at block 2336, may select one or moredifferent hydrogen production processes at one or more hydrogenproduction facilities or sources, utilities, and/or hydrogendistribution pathways to maintain the total CI, cost, and/or timeline ofhydrogen production, if such a selection is available. In anotherexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may send a prompt ornotification to a user or user interface. Further, the prompt mayinclude the available options or paths, such as one or more differenthydrogen production processes at one or more hydrogen productionfacilities or sources, utilities, storage tanks, pressurized storagevessels, and/or hydrogen distribution pathways. In such examples, theuser may select the new options or paths to maintain the total CI (e.g.,from the estimate audit report) or lower the total CI further. Inanother example, the user may choose to continue with the priorselections.

In response to the determination that the determined feedstock CI andfeedstock transportation CI have not increased or in response to aselection of one or more different hydrogen production processes at oneor more hydrogen production facilities or sources, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may, at block 2338, initiate any selectedhydrogen production processes or operations. In another example, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may connect to a hydrogenproduction facility or source controller and transmit the initiation tothe hydrogen production facility or source controller. The hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may notify a user of the initiation of thehydrogen production processes or operations. In another example, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may send a prompt to a user toinitiate or confirm initiation of the hydrogen production processes oroperations.

In response to a reception of or determination of completion of theselected hydrogen production processes or operations, at block 2340, thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine the actual CI for theselected hydrogen production processes or operations and utilities. Thehydrogen integration controller 2202 may determine whether, in relationto the determined hydrogen production processes or operations CI andutility CI, the actual CI for the hydrogen production processes oroperations and utilities has increased. If an increase is determined,the hydrogen integration controller 2202, at block 2342, may select oneor more different hydrogen distribution pathways to maintain CI, cost,and/or timeline of fuel production, if such a selection is available.

Once a new hydrogen distribution pathway is selected or if no newhydrogen distribution pathway is selected, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2202, at block 2344 may transmit a distribution request forthe hydrogen via the selected hydrogen pathway. The distribution requestmay include the hydrogen (e.g., the amount or volume of hydrogen andtype of hydrogen) and the selected hydrogen distribution pathway. Inanother example, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may transmit arequest for confirmation of a distribution request of the hydrogen to auser interface or a distribution computing device. In response toreception of the confirmation (e.g., from the user interface ordistribution computing device), the hydrogen integration controller 2202may transmit the feedstock request to a distribution computing device,distribution controller, the user interface (which may include adistribution sub-routine or distribution instructions), a procurementand distribution computing device, or other device.

At block 2346, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may determinethe actual CI for the selected one or more available feedstock, thecompleted feedstock transportation pathway, the completed hydrogenproduction processes or operations including utilities, and thecompleted hydrogen distribution pathway. At block 2348, the hydrogenintegration controller 2202 may determine the actual total CI. Theactual total CI may be based on the actual hydrogen yield, the actualfeedstock volume, and the actual CI for the selected one or moreavailable feedstock, the completed feedstock transportation pathway, thecompleted hydrogen production processes or operations includingutilities, and the completed hydrogen distribution pathway.

At block 2350, the hydrogen integration controller 2202 may generate andtransmit an actual or final audit report to a user, user interface,database, and/or other device. The actual or final audit report mayinclude the actual total CI and the actual CI for each process (e.g.,the actual CI for the selected one or more available feedstock, thecompleted feedstock transportation pathway, the completed hydrogenproduction processes or operations including utilities, the completedblending process, and the completed fuel product distribution pathway).The hydrogen integration controller 2202 may generate the actual orfinal audit report based on a request from a user and/or user interface.

FIGS. 24A-E are simplified diagrams illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity hydrogen production according to anembodiment. FIG. 24A illustrates an embodiment of a hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 for managing low carbon intensity energy production. Asnoted above and as illustrated in FIG. 20, a hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 may manage the operations of hydrogen production (e.g.,low and/or high CI hydrogen production processes or operation). Thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may be one or more controllers, asupervisory controller, programmable logic controller (PLC), a computingdevice (such as a laptop, desktop computing device, and/or a server),and/or other suitable devices. The hydrogen integration controller 2402may be located at or near a hydrogen production facility or source. Thehydrogen integration controller 2402, as noted, may be more than onecontroller. In such cases, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 maybe located near or at various feedstock sources, near or at one or morehydrogen production facilities or sources, and/or at other off-sitelocations. The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may include aprocessor 2404, or one or more processors, and memory 2406. The memory2406 may include instructions. In an example, the memory 2406 may be amachine-readable storage medium.

The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may include various modules inmemory 2406. The modules may include or define a set of instructions,executable by the processor 2404 for different aspects involved inmanaging low and/or high carbon intensity hydrogen production. Eachmodule may be in signal communication with other controllers, sensors,data inputs, computing devices, servers, refinery components, and/oruser interfaces. The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may include ahydrogen process selection module 2408, a transportation selectionmodule 2412, a feedstock selection module 2410, and/or an audit reportmodule 2414. The hydrogen process selection module 2408 may be in signalcommunication with a hydrogen production controller 2416 and/or autility controller 2418. The hydrogen process selection module 2408 maybe in signal communication with a plurality of hydrogen productioncontrollers (e.g., each hydrogen production controller located at adifferent and/or separate hydrogen production facilities or sources,such as steam reformers, naphtha reformers, electrolyzers, and/orrefineries). In another example, the hydrogen process selection module2408 may be in signal communication with a hydrogen productioncontroller 2416 including the functionality of a utility controller2418. In yet another example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402may include the functionality of a hydrogen production controller 2416and/or a utility controller 2418. The transportation selection module2412 may connect to a procurement computing device 2420, a distributioncomputing device 2422, a procurement and distribution computing device,a controller, a user interface, a server, database, and/or anotherdevice. The feedstock selection module 2410 may be in signalcommunication with a procurement computing device 2420, a procurementand distribution computing device, a procurement controller, a userinterface, a server, database, and/or another device. The audit reportmodule 2414 may be in signal communication with a user interface 2424.In such an example, a user may request an audit report via the userinterface 2424. The user interface 2424 may be in signal communicationwith the hydrogen integration controller 2402 and/or the audit reportmodule 2414. In such examples, the user interface 2424 may send andreceive data to and from, respectively, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402.

As noted above, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may be insignal communication with the user interface 2424. The user interface2424 may include an input (such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.)and a display. In another example, the user interface 2424 may be acomputing device, such as a laptop, desktop computer, server,smartphone, tablet, or a terminal. A user may enter data into the userinterface 2424 to send to the hydrogen integration controller 2402. Forexample, a user may enter in a threshold CI for a particular hydrogenproduction process. A user may input a low CI hydrogen specification fora particular hydrogen production process, the low CI hydrogenspecification noting or including the threshold CI. The low CI hydrogenspecification may be or may include the definition of a low CI hydrogen.In yet another example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 mayconnect to a database. The database may store the threshold CI and thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may obtain the threshold CI fromthe database for a particular hydrogen production process. The hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may include or store the threshold CI inmemory 2406. In another example, a user may enter or input other datainto the hydrogen integration controller 2402 via the user interface2424, such as available feedstock, available feedstock transportationpathways, available hydrogen production processes at hydrogen productionfacilities or sources, available utilities, and/or available hydrogendistribution pathways. A user may also enter or input the algorithmsand/or calculations to determine a CI for any particular process.

In response to a reception of a threshold CI, whether from the userinterface 2424, a database, another device, or from memory 2406, thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may set, assign, or utilize thethreshold CI as a current threshold CI for a particular hydrogenproduction process. As such, the hydrogen integration controller 2402may select various portions of the hydrogen production process to ensurethat the current threshold CI is not exceeded. Further, the hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may simulate, model, or determine manydifferent variations to determine the best possible path, combination,or selection based on various data points or factors. The hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may determine the best possible path,combination, or selection via a brute-force method, a min-max method, anadmissible decision method, and/or via other decision making methods aswill be understood by those skilled in the art.

For example, upon reception of the threshold CI, the hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may determine a CI for a number of or allselections of one or more available feedstock (in other words, feedstockvariations). The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may furtherdetermine a CI for a number of or all selections of blends of the one ormore available feedstock. In other words, the feedstock variations mayinclude varying blends of one or more selected feedstock (e.g., 30% offeedstock 1 and 70% of feedstock 2, 25% of feedstock 1 and 75% offeedstock 2, etc.). The feedstock selection module 2410, hydrogenintegration controller 2402, or another module may perform the CIdetermination for the feedstock variations. The feedstock selectionmodule 2410, hydrogen integration controller 2402, or another module maydetermine the CI of each feedstock variation based on data received fromthe procurement computing device 2420, a procurement and distributioncomputing device, a database, a user input from the user interface 2424,a feedstock controller in signal communication with the hydrogenintegration controller 2402, memory 2406, or another device storing suchdata. The data received may include a volume of a feedstock, a type offeedstock (for example, natural gas, renewable natural gas, refinerybyproducts, etc.), and/or a location of the feedstock (for example,city, state, country, etc.). The data may also include the innate orinherent CI of the feedstock (or the hydrogen) or, in other words, thecarbon emissions of the energy content of the feedstock (or hydrogen),as disclosed above. The data may also include a CI (or raw data todetermine the CI) associated with producing, obtaining, and/or any otherprocessing of the feedstock (e.g., a CI associated with obtaining,procuring, and/or processing a feedstock from a feedstock source, etc.).Once a number of or all of the feedstock variations CI are determined,the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may store each CI in memory2406, at a database, and/or at the procurement computing device 2420 forfuture use.

The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may further determine afeedstock transportation CI for a number of or all available feedstocktransportation pathways for each or a number of each feedstockvariations. The transportation selection module 2412 or another modulein the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may determine the CI. Thehydrogen integration controller 2402 or transportation selection module2412 may determine the feedstock transportation CIs based on theselected one or more available feedstock or feedstock variations, forany particular iteration or determination. For example, in the case thata feedstock from overseas is chosen, marine delivery modes or pathwaysmay be considered, while for a local feedstock (or a feedstock withinthe same country), rail, vehicular (e.g., a truck), and/or pipelinedelivery, if available, may be considered. The hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 or transportation selection module 2412 may obtainavailable feedstock transportation pathways from the procurementcomputing device 2420, the user interface 2424, a database, from memory2406, and/or from another device. Further, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 or the transportation selection module 2412 may base theCI on the volume of each feedstock transportation pathway, the fuel typeutilized by each feedstock transportation pathway (e.g., gas,electricity, steam, other liquid fuels, etc.), and/or a distance fromthe source of the feedstock to the hydrogen production facility orsource. Once a number of or all of the feedstock transportation pathwayvariations CI, based on the feedstock variations, are determined, thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may store each CI in memory 2406,at a database, and/or at the procurement computing device 2420 forfuture use.

The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may further, via a hydrogenprocess selection module 2408, determine a hydrogen production processof a hydrogen production facility or source and utilities CI for anumber of or all available hydrogen production processes of one or morehydrogen production facilities or sources and utility options for eachor a number of each feedstock variations. The hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 may, rather than determining a hydrogen productionprocess and utility CI, determine a hydrogen production process CIand/or a utilities CI. The hydrogen process selection module 2408 orother modules within the hydrogen integration controller 2402 maydetermine the hydrogen production process and utilities CI. As notedabove, a hydrogen production process may utilize various utilities forany given hydrogen production process. To offset carbon emissions forstandard hydrogen production processes, renewable utilities (e.g.,solar, wind, geothermal, renewable gas, etc.) may be utilized in thehydrogen production process, thus reducing overall CI (as well as carbonemissions). In another example, heat integration through a heatexchanger network and/or carbon sequestration may be utilized orselected to reduce or offset the CI for a particular hydrogen productionprocess, thus reducing the overall CI for a hydrogen production. In anexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 or hydrogen processselection module 2408 may determine available hydrogen productionprocesses and utilities based on a list from a hydrogen productioncontroller 2416, utility controller 2418, or from memory 2406. Inanother example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 or hydrogenprocess selection module 2408 may determine available hydrogenproduction processes and utilities based on the selected one or moreavailable feedstock or feedstock variations (in other words, differentfeedstock may utilize different hydrogen production processes, thuschoices may be limited based on the particular feedstock variations). Insuch examples, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 and/or thehydrogen process selection module 2408 may determine CI for eachavailable hydrogen production process and utility option for eachfeedstock variation. The hydrogen integration controller 2402 and/orhydrogen process selection module 2408 may determine the CI for eachavailable hydrogen production process and utility option based on thetype or types of the selected feedstock variations, the utilities to beused during the hydrogen production processes, the yield of eachhydrogen production process, and/or other factors, as will be understoodby those skilled in the art. The hydrogen integration controller 2402may consider other hydrogen production facilities or sources. Thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may determine a CI for otherrefineries, as described above. Once a number of or all of the hydrogenproduction processes and utilities CI (for one or more hydrogenproduction facilities or sources), based on the feedstock variations,are determined, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may store eachCI in memory 2406 or at a database for future use.

As noted, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may, rather thandetermining a hydrogen production process and utility CI, determine ahydrogen production process CI and/or a utilities CI. The utility CI maybe based on the utilities used in a corresponding hydrogen productionprocess, the utilities used to store a feedstock, the utilities used tostore a hydrogen, other utilities used for various other processes athydrogen production facilities or sources, and/or at other points in thehydrogen production process (e.g., utilities used in pumps to transferfeedstock or hydrogen).

The hydrogen integration controller 2402 may further determine ahydrogen distribution CI for a number of or all available hydrogendistribution pathways for each or a number of each feedstock variations.The transportation selection module 2412 or another module in thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may determine the hydrogendistribution CI. The hydrogen integration controller 2402 ortransportation selection module 2412 may determine the hydrogendistribution CI based on the selected one or more available feedstockand hydrogen production process yield, for any particular iteration ordetermination. For example, one hydrogen production process for afeedstock variation may produce a certain amount of hydrogen and,potentially, other gases, while another hydrogen production process foranother feedstock variation may produce a different amount of hydrogenand other gases. The hydrogen integration controller 2402 ortransportation selection module 2412 may obtain available hydrogendistribution pathways from the distribution computing device 2422, theuser interface 2424, a database, from memory 2406, and/or from anotherdevice. Further, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 or thetransportation selection module 2412 may determine the hydrogendistribution CI based on the volume of each hydrogen distributionpathway, the fuel type utilized by each hydrogen distribution pathway,and/or a distance from the hydrogen production source to distributionpoint and/or an end destination/point. Once a number of or all of thehydrogen distribution pathway variations CI, based on the feedstockvariations, are determined, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 maystore each CI in memory 2406, at a database, distribution computingdevice 1024, and/or procurement and distribution computing device forfuture use.

Once a number of or all CIs for each selection (as in, the selection ofthe one or more available feedstock, the feedstock transportationpathway, the hydrogen production process and utilities, and the hydrogendistribution) are determined, the hydrogen integration controller 2402may determine a set of variations, combinations, or selections of eachof the selections noted above. For example, one set of the variations,combinations, or selections may include a selected one or more availablefeedstock, a selected one or more available feedstock transportationpathways (corresponding to the feedstock variation), a selected one ormore hydrogen production processes (corresponding to the feedstockvariation), a selected one or more utilities (corresponding to thehydrogen production processes and/or other processes to use utilities),and a selected one or more hydrogen distribution pathways (correspondingto the hydrogen from the hydrogen production facility or source).Further, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may determine a totalCI for each variation, combination, or set of selections. The hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may determine the total CI based on thevolume of the selected one or more available feedstock, the yield fromthe corresponding or selected hydrogen production processes to producehydrogen, the determined feedstock CI, the determined feedstocktransportation CI, the determined hydrogen production process andutilities CI, and/or the determined hydrogen distribution CI. Otherfactors may be considered when determining a total CI. For example, thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may further base the total CI on afeedstock storage tank CI (if utilized), a pressurized storage vessel CI(if utilized), emissions (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses,breathing losses, and flashing losses), carbon sequestration (ifutilized), and/or other carbon offsetting practices as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. In such examples, once thehydrogen integration controller 2402 determines the total CI for eachvariation, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may store each totalCI in memory 2406 and/or at a database.

Once each total CI variation is determined, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 may determine a selection from the set of combinations.The combinations may include the various selections, described above,with a CI less than the threshold CI. In an example, if there are novariations with a CI less than the CI threshold, the hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may notify a user that all selections exceedthe threshold CI, prompt a user to enter a new threshold CI, and/orprompt a user to accept the selection with the lowest total CI (thelowest total CI, in this case, exceeding the threshold CI). In anotherexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may automaticallyselect a new threshold CI. In another example, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 may determine the selection based on the lowest total CI(the lowest total CI not exceeding the threshold CI). In yet anotherexample, multiple combinations may include a similar or the same totalCI. However, each combination may exhibit different properties, such asa cost issue or a timing issue (e.g., from feedstock to customer). Insuch examples, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may select oneof the combinations, with the similar or same CI or a CI lower thanthreshold, further based on the time of availability of each of theselected one or more available feedstock, a time for delivery to thehydrogen production facility or source by the feedstock transportationpathway, a time to process a feedstock utilizing the selected one ormore hydrogen production processes, a time to delivery from the hydrogenproduction facility or source to the end user (e.g., a refinery,distribution point, power plant, or fuel cells, etc.), and/or anyhydrogen production processes queued or in production. Upondetermination of a selection, the hydrogen integration controller 2402may initiate hydrogen production or transmit a request to confirminitiation of the hydrogen production.

FIG. 24B illustrates another simplified diagram illustrating a controlsystem for managing the low carbon intensity energy production accordingto an embodiment. As noted, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 mayconnect to controllers for various other hydrogen production facilitiesor sources. For example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 and/orthe hydrogen process selection module 2408 may be in signalcommunication with an electrolysis controller 2426 to control anelectrolysis process (e.g., the process to convert water to hydrogen andoxygen via electricity). The hydrogen integration controller 2402 and/orthe hydrogen process selection module 2408 may be in signalcommunication with a steam reformer controller 2428. The hydrogenintegration controller 2402 and/or the hydrogen process selection module2408 may connect to other controllers at similar or different hydrogenproduction facilities or sources (e.g., a refinery, a naphtha reformer,a gasification facility, etc.).

FIG. 24C illustrates another simplified diagram illustrating a controlsystem for managing the low carbon intensity energy production accordingto an embodiment. In such examples, rather than connecting to aprocurement and distribution computing device, the hydrogen integrationcontroller 2402 may connect to a user interface 2432. The user interface2432 may connect to or include a procurement module 2434. For example,the procurement module 2434 may be a set of instructions included in theuser interface 2432 to order feedstock from various feedstock sources.The procurement module 2434 may be a controller, computing device,server, and/or other device. The user interface 2432 may also connect toor include a distribution module 2436. For example, the distributionmodule 2436 may be a set of instructions included in the user interface2432 to initiate delivery of hydrogen from a hydrogen productionfacility or source to an end user (or other distribution point orterminal). The distribution module 2436 may be a controller, computingdevice, server, and/or other device. In such examples, the procurementmodule 2434 and distribution module 2436 may allow for order offeedstock, via specified transportation modes, and delivery of refinedproduct, via specified transportation modes.

As noted above, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may determine acombination of a selection of one or more feedstock, one or morefeedstock transportation pathways, a selection of one or more hydrogenproduction processes, a selection of one or more utilities, and aselection of one or more hydrogen distribution pathways. The hydrogenintegration controller 2402 may determine such a combination based on adetermination of the feedstock CI (based on, for example, a ratio orblend of available feedstock volume and type), the feedstocktransportation CI (based on available feedstock transportation deliverydistance and fuel type), the hydrogen production process CI (based onthe type of hydrogen production process, the volume and type offeedstock, the length of time of the hydrogen production process, and/orthe yield of the hydrogen production process process), the utility CI ofone or more utilities (based on the type of utility utilized in thehydrogen production process and the distance the utility travels toreach the hydrogen production facility or source), and/or hydrogendistribution CI (based on available hydrogen distribution deliverydistance and fuel type). Other factors may be utilized in determining acombination, such as cost of each process, margin or profit based on asale of the final product, availability, yield, and/or one-time costs(such as increasing hydrogen production capacity or increasingefficiency of an aspect of the hydrogen production facility or source).

In another example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may connectto a database 2430. The database 2430 may include various data points,such as available feedstock (and corresponding raw data), availabletransportation modes (and corresponding raw data), available storagetanks (and corresponding raw data), available hydrogen productionprocesses (and corresponding raw data), and/or available utility options(and corresponding raw data). In another example, a user may update, viathe user interface 2432, the data stored at the database 2430. Inanother example, the hydrogen integration controller 2402 may update thedata at the database 2430, for example, based on reception of data fromvarious controllers and/or computing devices. In another example, thehydrogen integration controller 2402 may store determined CIs, totalCIs, and/or audit reports at the database, which other devices or userinterfaces may access.

FIG. 24D and 24E illustrate other simplified diagrams illustratingcontrol systems for managing the low carbon intensity energy productionaccording to an embodiment. In such examples, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 include the functionality of or connect to the hydrogenintegration controller 2402. As such, the fuel integration controller1000 may control the hydrogen integration controller 2402 to produce alow carbon intensity hydrogen to further reduce the carbon intensity ofa refined transportation fuel. In another example, a supervisorycontroller may connect to the fuel integration controller 1000 and/orthe hydrogen integration controller 2402 to orchestrate or controlrefined transportation fuel production processes and/or hydrogenproduction processes. In such examples, the supervisory controller mayconnect to other controllers related to refinery, hydrogen, water,utilities, feedstock sources, and/or other processes.

FIGS. 25A-C are block diagrams illustrating a system for managing thelow carbon intensity hydrogen production according to an embodiment. Asdescribed above, a hydrogen integration controller 2502 may be utilizedto manage low carbon intensity (CI) hydrogen production. The hydrogenintegration controller 2502 may connect to a user interface 1306, autilities provider 2506, and/or various controllers (e.g., steamreformer controller 2504, steam reformer controller 1 2510, steamreformer controller 2 2512, electrolysis controller 2514, and/orrefinery controller 1330). The hydrogen integration controller 2502 maycontrol operations or processes, via the controllers, to producehydrogen.

For example, the hydrogen integration controller 2502 may connect tosteam reformer controller 2504. The hydrogen integration controller 2502may select the feedstock for steam reformer 2508. The hydrogenintegration controller 2502 may also select the transportation method todeliver the feedstock to the steam reformer 2508. The hydrogenintegration controller 2502 may select the utilities or fuel from theutilities provider 2506 or other fuel source to power the steam reformer2508. For example, utilities or fuels, such as gas (e.g., renewable orfossil fuel based gas) may power a furnace 2511. The feedstock maycombine with steam and pass through the heated furnace 2511 absorbingthe produced heat (e.g., an endothermic reaction). The reaction mayproduce various gases, for example, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbondioxide, methane, and/or water. Such products may pass through a watergas shift reactor 2513, to transform the carbon monoxide to carbondioxide and hydrogen, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.The gases may further be pumped to a pressure swing adsorber(PSA)/separator 2515, to purify the hydrogen and remove any other gases,as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In another example,the purification of the hydrogen may occur at a membrane separator. Theother gases, e.g., purge gases, produced by the PSA/separator may betransported to the heated furnace 2511 of the steam reformer 2508 andutilized as fuel. In another example, the purge gas may be mixed orblended with fuel from a fuel source (e.g., renewable or fossil fuelbased gas) and then transported to the heated furnace 2511 to beutilized as fuel. The heated furnace 2511, after burning the fuel andpurge gas may produce heat and flue gas. The flue gas may include or becomprised of carbon dioxide, which, as noted, may be sequestered tofurther reduce the overall carbon intensity of the hydrogen produced atthe steam reformer 2508. The produced hydrogen may be distributed to theend user and, as noted, the carbon dioxide may be sequestered orreleased to the atmosphere.

In other examples, the hydrogen integration controller 2502 may selectvarious aspects of steam reformer 1 2522 (e.g., including a furnace2524, but no water gas shift reactor), steam reformer 2 2516 (e.g.,including a furnace 2520 and water gas shift reactor 2518), electrolysis2526 (e.g., utilizing water as a feedstock and electricity to producehydrogen and oxygen, as will be understood by those skilled in the art),or naphtha reforming 2530. In such examples, the PSA or gas separator2532 may be external to each of the hydrogen producing processes. In anexample, the naphtha reforming process may produce a feedstock for asteam reformer (e.g., the naphtha reformer may produce offgas andreformate). In another example, the naphtha reformer may include stepsor processes to further produce hydrogen and reformate. In anotherexample, the hydrogen integration controller 2502 may connect to arefinery controller 1330. Various refinery processes may producehydrogen 2534, such as a coker 1352, a cracker 1360, a reformer (asnoted above), and/or other processes within the refinery 1332. Thehydrogen produced by these processes may be utilized at the refinery1332 for certain processes (e.g., at hydrotreaters 1358 and otherprocesses). In other examples, the hydrogen 2534 produced may be morethan is utilized in such processes. As such, an excess of hydrogen 2534may be produced at the refinery 1332. The hydrogen integrationcontroller 2502 may control the allocation and use of such hydrogen2534, as well as how the excess hydrogen 2534 may be utilized (e.g.,distributed to an end user, such as other refineries, power plants,and/or for fuel cells). In another example, steam reformer 1 2522 andsteam reformer 2 2516 may illustrate various options or configurationswithin a refinery. For example, one option may include operating a steamreformer process without utilizing or bypassing a water gas shiftreactor 2518 (e.g., steam reformer 1 2522), while another option mayinclude the use of the water gas shift reactor 2518 (e.g., steamreformer 2516).

FIG. 26 illustrates, as noted above and as disclosed in one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure, a more holistic approach toreducing carbon intensity, as well as limiting emission of certainchemicals into the atmosphere 2620. Chemicals introduced into theatmosphere 2620 as a result of ethanol production, as well as an ethanolblending operation with refined transportation fuel, may include carbondioxide (CO₂) 2622, methane (CH₄) 2624, nitrogen oxides (NO_(x)) 2626,and/or other chemicals, as will be understood by those skilled in theart. As a more holistic approach to carbon intensity is sought, thecarbon intensity of each process or stage in an ethanol production(e.g., indirect and direct processes or stages) may be considered as anapproach to target its carbon intensity reduction of the producedethanol, as well as to target carbon intensity reduction of the overallcarbon intensity of an ethanol-blended transportation fuel to an enduser location 2618 (e.g., an ultra-low carbon intensity ethanol maysignificantly or further reduce the carbon intensity of a refinedtransportation fuel). As such, the carbon intensity associated with afermentable feedstock source 2602 (e.g., an agricultural site, farm,waste facility, or other source of fermentable feedstock) may beconsidered for targeted carbon intensity reductions (e.g., an indirectprocess or stage in relation to the ethanol plant 2608). In other words,carbon intensity reductions may be achieved through the selection ofdifferent carbon intensity reducing methods (e.g., the use of low carbonintensity utilities 2606 or the use of low carbon intensity fertilizer,such as that derived from low CI hydrogen) of obtaining or producingfermentable feedstock at the fermentable feedstock source 2602. As usedherein, “fermentable feedstock” may refer to a variety of differentfeedstock, each including an amount of starch, which may be converted tosugar, or sugar. A typical fermentable feedstock may be corn. Otherfermentable feedstock may include wheat, barley, rice, other grains,fruits, vegetables, other vegetation, other organic matter, otherorganic waste, sugar solutions, or any other material including anamount of starch and/or sugar. The carbon intensity of feedstocktransportation pathways 2604 (such as vehicular, rail, or marinetransportation) may also be considered for targeted carbon intensityreductions (e.g., an indirect process or stage in relation to theethanol plant 2608). Further, the carbon intensity at the ethanol plant2608 may be considered for targeted carbon intensity reductions, such asby the use of renewable or low carbon intensity utilities 2606, throughthe use of carbon capture/sequestration, and/or by ethanol productionprocess improvements. Such low carbon intensity utilities 2606 may beco-located at, proximate with, and/or dedicated to the ethanol plant2608. In another example, the low carbon intensity utilities 2606 may beconsidered off-grid, i.e., the low carbon intensity utilities 2606 maynot be tied to a grid supplied power source and may provide power to theethanol plant 2608 and no other end user or consumer. The carbonintensity for other processes or stages may be considered for carbonintensity reduction, such as ethanol distribution pathways 2614 fortransportation of ethanol to a blending site 2616 (e.g., indirect carbonintensity reduction) and/or through further use of byproducts 2612(e.g., distiller's grain, oil, and/or other byproducts) produced at theethanol plant 2608. The carbon intensity for other processes or stagesof a blended transportation fuel operation, as described above, may beconsidered for carbon intensity reduction, such as blending processes ata blending site 2616 (e.g., indirect carbon intensity reduction) and/ora blended transportation fuel distribution pathway for transportation ofa blended transportation fuel (e.g., a blend of ethanol and refinedtransportation fuel) to an end user location 2618 (e.g., indirect carbonintensity reduction).

FIG. 27 is a simplified diagram that illustrates a novel implementationof a low carbon intensity ethanol strategy in which lower carbon energyis introduced and used during the acquisition, fermentation, anddistillation of feedstock (e.g., fermentable or fermentation feedstock)as well as the distribution of the resulting low carbon intensityethanol to a fuel blending site 2716 and ultimately to an end user 2718as a low carbon intensity blended transportation fuel (e.g., the blendincluding a ratio of ethanol and refined transportation fuel). Asillustrated in FIG. 28, by employing low carbon energy sources orutilities 2708 to generate ethanol for blending with conventional or lowcarbon intensity liquid transportation fuel, the higher or lower carbonintensity of the refined transportation fuel, e.g., gasoline, is loweredin carbon intensity. These conventional, lower carbon intensity liquidtransportation fuels, which are verifiably lower in carbon emissions,are then transported and delivered to distribution points, such as anend user 2718 (e.g., retail outlet or convenience store), forconventional purchase by a consumer. Thus, the consumer is not requiredto purchase or use any special equipment, e.g., an electric or naturalgas-powered vehicle, to realize the advantage of low carbon energysources that may be far removed in distance from the consumer, becausesuch low carbon energy sources have been integrated into purchasedliquid transportation fuels through the, e.g., blended ethanol.

Further, FIG. 27 illustrates a novel implementation of a low carbonintensity energy strategy in which lower carbon intensity energy (e.g.,from utilities 2708) is integrated into the procurement, fermenting, anddistillation of fermentable feedstocks 2702 and chemicals 2704 (such asenzymes and/or yeast to aid in the production of sugar and forfermentation), e.g., at a conventional ethanol plant 2706 and otherpoints of integration. As noted, low carbon intensity utilities 2708(e.g. wind farms, solar arrays, hydroelectric power sources, geothermalpower plants/facilities, stationary fuel cell power systems) may beintegrated into the processing (e.g., fermentation and distillation) offermentable feedstocks 2702 to lower the overall carbon intensity ofethanol to be blended with refined transportation fuels associated witha refinery 2714 at a fuel blending site 2716. However, these low carbonintensity blended transportation fuels support the existing renewableenergy infrastructure and are transported to locations accessible to endusers 2718. As an example, low carbon intensity blended transportationfuels and other refined products provided through this strategy (and thestrategy described above) may be used to at least partially constructand provide renewable energy infrastructure, e.g., electric-poweredvehicles, natural gas-powered vehicles, dedicated charging/refuelingstations, to permit the customer to take advantage of the renewableenergy. Further, low carbon intensity fuels using ethanol from ethanolplant 2706 and conventional fuels from refinery 2714 may be necessary topartially, if not fully, produce renewable energy, such as renewablediesel and low carbon intensity blending fuels (e.g., biodiesel andethanol), and to transport renewable energy to distribution pointsaccessible by the end user 2718. Thus, low carbon intensity blendedtransportation fuels produced through the integration of renewableenergy and/or other ethanol plant 2706 improvement processes (e.g.,carbon capture/sequestration 2712, rather than atmospheric release 2710)may benefit the current range of transportation fuel options from purerenewables supplied directly to the consumer to more conventional—butlow carbon intensity—liquid transportation fuels, such as gasolineblended with ethanol.

Further, carbon intensity of the overall blended transportation fuel maybe lowered through the re-use of byproducts 2720 produced at the ethanolplant 2706. For example, if a grain, such as corn is utilized as thefermentable feedstock 2702, a byproduct 2720 may include distillersgrain or dried distillers grain and solubles (DDGS), which includes highamounts of protein and other nutrients and may be used as feed foranimals at farms 2726, among other uses as known to those skilled in theart. In another example, a byproduct 2720 may include an oil, dependingon the type of fermentable feedstock 2702 (such as grains). To furtherreduce carbon intensity of the ethanol and, potentially, of a biodieselor renewable diesel, the oil may be transported to a biodiesel orrenewable diesel plant 2722 and processed into a low carbon intensitybiodiesel or renewable diesel. In another example, a byproduct 2720 mayinclude syrup, depending on the type of fermentable feedstock 2702. Thesyrup may include an amount of sugar and/or starch leftover from thefermentation process. To further reduce carbon intensity of the ethanoland, potentially, of another biofuel, the syrup may be transported to abiofuel plant 2724 and processed into a low carbon intensity biofuel(e.g., bio-gasoline). In another example, the syrup may be mixed withwet grain, from a centrifuge, create the wet distillers grain (WDG), aswill be understood by those skilled in the art. In another example, theWDG may not include additional syrup. The WDG, while produced withoutthe use of a dryer and, thus, of a potentially lower CI than DDGS, mayhave a shorter shelf life than DDGS. For example, the shelf life for WDG(which may include about 65% to 75% moisture) may be days (for example,three days), while DDGS may have an almost indefinite shelf life. In yetanother example, an amount of syrup may be mixed with the wet grain fromthe centrifuge, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Themixture may be dried to produce DDGS or modified WDG. The modified WDG(which may include about 50% to 55% moisture) may include more moisturethan the DDGS (which may include about 10% to 12% moisture), have alonger shelf life than WDG (for example, three weeks), and/or requireless energy to dry. The production of such byproducts 2720 may furtheroffset or reduce the carbon intensity of the ethanol.

FIG. 28 is a nodal diagram illustrating the interconnectivity of lowercarbon energy sources at various nodes during the acquisition andtransformation of fermentable feedstock into lower carbon intensityethanol for blending with a refined transportation fuel. Selectedfermentable feedstock 2802 (e.g., materials including sufficient amountsof starch and/or sugar to produce ethanol during fermentation) andchemicals 2804 (e.g., enzymes to aid in saccharification and/or yeast toproduce ethanol from sugar) are transported via various transportationmodes 2806, which may include one or more of truck, rail, or marinetransport (the distance contributing to the carbon intensity of producedethanol and, ultimately, the blended transportation fuel). Thetransportation mode may be selected to further limit carbon emissions byemploying low carbon intensity fuels, such as renewable diesel,renewable natural gas, petroleum natural gas, etc. In one or moreembodiments, the transported fermentable feedstock 2802 may be stored invessels, silos, or other storage structures 2808 or facilities. In afurther example, different types of fermentable feedstock 2802,particularly grains, may be stored in storage structures 2808 for aperiod time for malting (e.g., to develop enzymes to convert starches inthe fermentable feedstock 2802 to sugar), thus allowing for fewerchemicals 2804 to be utilized in the ethanol production process oroperation, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Further,the transported chemicals 2804 may be stored in a similar manner or in adifferent type of storage structure 2810, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. The manner and length of time of such storage may beselected so as to decrease the carbon emissions resulting from storage(e.g., due to decomposition, leakage, etc.).

The stored fermentable feedstock 2802 and/or chemicals 2804 may betransported to an ethanol plant 2812 and then fermented and distilledthrough conventional processing steps, each of which increases (or insome situations decreases) the carbon emissions attributable to theproduced ethanol. However, as described previously, certain ethanolproduction processes may be employed to decrease the carbon emissionswith respect to conventional processing steps. The most numerous ofthese carbon intensity reducing processing steps are associated with theutility infrastructure 2832 and/or carbon capture/sequestration. Inaddition to the fermentable feedstock 2802, ethanol plants 2812 orfacilities may largely depend on various utilities, includingelectricity 2838, fuel 2839 (e.g., natural gas, diesel, refinedintermediates 2844), water 2836, and/or steam 2834, to operate. Asillustrated, there are several options for providing these utilitieswith lower carbon intensity than they may otherwise normally besupplied. For example, electricity may be supplied by wind turbines2842, solar arrays 2840, renewable natural gas 2844, and/or stationaryfuel cell power systems 2846. Similarly, the pumping and treatment ofwater 2836 and the generation of steam 2834 may employ energy obtainedfrom wind turbines 2842, solar arrays 2840, renewable natural gas 2844,and/or stationary fuel cell power systems 2846. Renewable natural gas2844 may also be used along with one or more of renewable diesel and/orrefinery intermediates as fuel 2839 for generating heat in theliquefaction, saccharification, and/or distillation processes of ethanolproduction. During fermentation of the ethanol production process, largeamounts of carbon dioxide may be produced. Further, fuel 2839 may beburned to generate heat for distillation. With respect to ethanol plant2812, carbon capture/sequestration may be used in the fermentationprocess, distillation process, or anywhere hydrocarbon fuels arecombusted to carbon dioxide along with atmospheric release. Sequesteringcarbon dioxide that otherwise would go to the atmosphere may have aneutral effect or even subtract from the carbon intensity of the ethanolproduced. Further efficiency improvements or other techniques may beused to reduce the carbon emissions attributable to ethanol productionfrom feedstock.

In one or more embodiments, the ethanol plant 2812 may produce more thanethanol. For example, the ethanol production process may produce a highprotein feed (e.g., from distiller's grain), syrup (which may be mixedwith the distillers grain or may be used as a feedstock for a biofuelplant), and/or oil (which, based on the type of feedstock, may be usedas a biodiesel feedstock or for human and/or animal consumption). Insuch examples, the ethanol may be stored in tanks (e.g., ethanol storage2818) prior to transport (via transportation 2820) to a fuel blendingsite 2830. The byproducts (e.g., oil, feed/distillers grain, and/orsyrup) may be stored in storage 2814, 2816 prior to transport (viatransportation 2820) to a farm 2826 and/or in oil storage 2816 prior totransport (via transportation 2822) to a biodiesel plant 2828 or otherlocation for further processing. The manner and length of time of suchstorage may be selected so as to decrease the carbon emissions resultingfrom storage (e.g. decomposition, leakage, etc.). After storage of theethanol, the ethanol may be transported via various transportation modes2824 to a fuel blending site 2830, to blend the ethanol with a refinedtransportation fuel from a refinery. The manner and length of time ofsuch storage may be selected so as to decrease the carbon emissionsresulting from storage (e.g., evaporation, leakage, etc.). In one ormore embodiments, the ethanol may be transported directly to the fuelblending site 2830 without intermediate storage. As with transportation2806, the transportation 2824 modes for ethanol may include one or moreof vehicle (e.g., truck), rail, or marine transport. The transport modemay be selected to further limit carbon emissions by employing lowcarbon intensity fuels, such as renewable diesel, renewable natural gas,regular natural gas, etc. After blending the ethanol with a refinedtransportation fuel at the fuel blending site 2830, the blendedtransportation fuel may then be transported to retail outlets,convenience stores, and other final distribution locations accessible tothe end user and/or consumer. As noted above and as illustrated in FIG.10, blending at a fuel blending site may occur (i.e., a fuel blendingsite may be) at a storage tank 883, during or prior to transport 884, ata terminal/rack 885, and/or at a retail 886 location.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a system 2900 for managing thelow carbon intensity ethanol production according to an embodiment. Thesystem 2900 may include an ethanol integration controller 2902 and/orfuel integration controller. The ethanol integration controller 2902and/or fuel integration controller may connect to various othercontrollers, sensors, and/or computing devices utilized throughout anethanol production process or operation to plan and/or control ethanolproduction and/or refined and blended transportation fuel production.For example, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuelintegration controller may connect to a controller at a fermentablefeedstock source 2904 or to a database storing information regarding thefermentable feedstock source 2904, as well as other fermentablefeedstock sources. As such, the ethanol integration controller 2902and/or fuel integration controller may obtain various data points orinformation in relation to different available fermentable feedstock atthe fermentable feedstock source 2904. The ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller may select one ormore of the available fermentable feedstock for use in ethanolproduction (as well as for a refined and blended transportation fuelproduction), based on the data points or information obtained. Variousdata points may include the type of fertilizer used (e.g., conventionalversus low carbon intensity fertilizer produced from low carbonintensity hydrogen), the type of fermentable feedstock, the distance ofthe fermentable feedstock source 2904 from the ethanol plant 2908 (whichmay or may not be co-located with the fermentable feedstock source 2904,or located proximate to or nearby the fermentable feedstock source2904), and the type of fuel and utilities used by the equipment utilizedat the fermentable feedstock source 2904 (renewable fuel, fossil fuel,etc.).

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to controllers, sensors, a database and/orcomputing devices related to a fermentable feedstock transportationpathway. As such, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuelintegration controller may obtain various data points or information inrelation to different available fermentable feedstock transportationpathways (such as distance between the fermentable feedstock source 2904and fermentable feedstock storage 2906 or the ethanol plant 2908, thetype of fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, the type of fuelutilized by the fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, and/or thevolume of the fermentable feedstock transportation pathway). The ethanolintegration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller mayselect one or more of the available fermentable feedstock transportationpathways for the ethanol, based on the various data points orinformation.

Further, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to controllers, sensors, and/or computing devicesassociated with fermentable feedstock storage 2906 (e.g., a grain silo)and/or tank 2910 (e.g., a liquid product storage tank). The fermentablefeedstock storage 2906, tank 2910, or other types of storage may bepositioned at various points between a fermentable feedstock source2904, the ethanol plant 2908, the refinery 2918, the blending site 2914,and a distribution point or terminal (e.g., convenience store 2916). Forexample, the fermentable feedstock storage 2906 may be located on-siteat the ethanol plant 2908. The ethanol integration controller 2902and/or fuel integration controller may obtain various data points orinformation in relation to fermentable feedstock, ethanol, refinedtransportation fuel, and/or refined and blended transportation fuelstored in any storage location (e.g., time and power utilized). Theethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controllermay select fermentable feedstock, ethanol, refined transportation fuel,and/or refined and blended transportation fuel stored in the storagelocations for use in the ethanol production and/or the refined andblended transportation fuel production.

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may control an ethanol plant 2908 and/or connect tocontrollers, sensors, and/or computing devices at the ethanol plant2908. The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may obtain various data points or information in relation todifferent available ethanol production processes of the ethanol plant2908 and the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may select one or more of the available ethanol productionprocesses for the ethanol and/or refined and blended transportation fuelproduction, based on the various data points or information. The ethanolintegration controller 2902 and/or ethanol integration controller mayinitiate and/or control the selected ethanol production processes at theethanol plant 2908. For example, when a particular ethanol productionprocess is selected, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuelintegration controller may initiate the ethanol production process ortransmit an initiation to a controller of the ethanol plant 2908. Theethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controllermay determine where to send or transport byproducts of the ethanol plant2908. For example, a byproduct may include oil. The oil may include a CIproportional to the CI of the produced ethanol and the volume offermentable feedstock utilized at the ethanol plant 2908. As such, theethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controllermay initiate transportation of the oil to a tank 2920 (or other type ofstorage, as will be understood by those skilled in the art). From tank2920, the oil, along with the associated CI of the oil, may betransported to a bio/renewable diesel plant to be converted or processedto a bio diesel or renewable diesel with a particular CI partially basedon the oil's CI. Other byproducts may be produced and transported forother uses from the ethanol plant 2908 (e.g., feed and/or syrup). Asdescribed above, the fuel integration controller, which may include thefunctionality of the ethanol integration controller 2902, may control arefinery 2918 and/or connect to controllers, sensors, and/or computingdevices at the refinery 2918.

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to a utility provider 2912 or controllers,sensors, and/or computing devices of a utility provider 2912. Theutility provider 2912 may provide utilities for use in the ethanol plant2908, as well as at various other points throughout ethanol productionand/or throughout the refined and blended transportation fuelproduction. The utility provider 2912 may be proximate to, nearby, or atthe ethanol plant 2908 and may utilize renewable resources. Further, theutility provider 2912 may be off-grid and/or dedicated to the ethanolplant 2908. For example, a wind farm may be constructed next to ornearby the ethanol plant 2908. In another example, the utility provider2912 may provide and/or track utilities for use at the fermentablefeedstock source 2904, at each transportation/distribution pathway, ateach storage location or tank (e.g., feedstock storage 2906 and tank2910), at a blending site 2914, and/or at other points or processes inthe ethanol production and/or at the refined and blended transportationfuel production. As such, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/orfuel integration controller may obtain data regarding the availableutilities, as well as available utilities for ethanol production and/orthe refined and blended transportation fuel production. Based on suchdata, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may select one or more utilities for ethanol productionand/or the refined and blended transportation fuel production (e.g.,utilities for use in the one or more selected ethanol productionprocesses).

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to controllers, sensors, a database, and/orcomputing devices related to an ethanol distribution pathway and/or ablended product distribution pathway. As such, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller may obtain variousdata points or information in relation to different available ethanoldistribution pathways and/or blended product distribution pathways andthe ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may select one or more of the available ethanol distributionpathways and/or blended product distribution pathways based on thevarious data points or information.

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to a blending site 2914 or to controllers,sensors, and/or computing devices at a blending site 2914. The ethanolintegration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller mayprovide data regarding a produced ethanol to such components at theblending site 2914. For example, an ethanol integration controller 2902may connect to a blending site 2914 controller. The ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may initiate shipment of the produced ethanol to theblending site 2914. The ethanol integration controller 2902 may alsoprovide the CI of the ethanol, as well as various other aspects of theethanol production process (e.g., CI and type fermentable feedstockutilized, CI and type fermentable feedstock transportation utilized, CIand types of ethanol processes utilized, CI and type of utilitiesutilized, CI and type of byproducts produced and where the byproductsmay be shipped, and/or CI and type of ethanol distribution utilized) Theethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controllermay obtain various data points or information in relation to theblending site (e.g., amount of each component to be blended, powerrequired to blend, type of blending operation, etc.). The ethanolintegration controller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller mayselect one or more of the available blending processes for the ethanoland the refined transportation fuel, based on the various data points orinformation. The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuelintegration controller may initiate and/or control the selected blendingprocesses. For example, when a particular blending processes isselected, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuelintegration controller may initiate the blending processes or transmitan initiation to a controller of the blending site 2914. In anotherexample, the ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may obtain the CI of the refined transportation fuel from therefinery 2918 to be blended with the ethanol at the blending site 2914.

The ethanol integration controller 2902 and/or fuel integrationcontroller may connect to controllers, sensors, and/or computing devicesat a distribution point or terminal (e.g., a convenience store 2916).For example, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may monitor ortrack fuel consumption (i.e., demand) at the convenience store 2916.Based on the consumption or demand, the ethanol integration controller2902 may initiate ethanol production (e.g., the produced ethanol to beblended with a particular refined transportation fuel). Further, basedon consumption or demand for a particular type of blended transportationfuel (e.g., low or high CI), the ethanol integration controller 2902 mayselect different aspects of the ethanol production (e.g., use of low CImethods at feedstock sources, carbon sequestration, renewable utilities,etc.). In another example, the ethanol integration controller 2902and/or fuel integration controller may monitor the cost or price ofethanol or fuel blends including ethanol. Based on the cost or price, aswell as the cost or price of the feedstock, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 and/or fuel integration controller may initiate anethanol production process.

FIGS. 30A-C are block diagrams illustrating a system for managing thelow carbon intensity ethanol production according to an embodiment. Insuch embodiments, the system may utilize a fuel integration controller3002, an ethanol plant controller 3018, an ethanol integrationcontroller, and/or various other controllers or computer devicesutilized throughout the ethanol production process. Such controllers mayselect and initiate various aspects of the ethanol production processes.Further, the production of ethanol may be a sub-process in an overallprocess of a refined and blended transportation fuel production orprocess. In other words, a particular CI may be set for a refined andblended transportation fuel. Based on that set CI, the fuel integrationcontroller 3002 may select and control ethanol production (as well as,hydrogen production and/or various other aspects of a refined producttransportation fuel production) to lower the CI of the overalltransportation fuel. In another example, rather than utilizing a set CIor threshold CI, the fuel integration controller 3002 may initiateethanol production for an ethanol based on the lowest possible CI (basedon available options), the lowest possible cost, the shortest amount oftime to produce the ethanol, demand for a particular ethanol (e.g., lowCI), or some combination thereof. For example, the fuel integrationcontroller 3002 may consider a lower cost ethanol at a higher CI for alower CI fuel or an ultra-low cost CI ethanol based on availableutilities, such as a wind farm, and other options available at aspecific time (e.g., the wind farm may be operating and carbon capturemay be available). In another example, the fuel integration controller3002 may produce large quantities of ethanol of a particular CI for aperiod of time. Such an ethanol may be stored until requested for aparticular blended fuel operation. In yet another example, the fuelintegration controller 3002 may factor in tax credits when consideringthe cost of ethanol production.

As illustrated in FIG. 30A, the fuel integration controller 3002 mayconnect to various and different stages of the ethanol process or todatabases, computing devices, or other controllers including informationregarding each stage. For example, the fuel integration controller 3002may connect to various fermentable feedstock sources 3012 (e.g., withcomputing devices and/or controllers at the fermentable feedstocksources 3012 or a database including data relating to the fermentablefeedstock sources 3012). The fuel integration controller 3002 may selecta fermentable feedstock based on various factors at each of thefermentable feedstock sources 3012. For example, one or more of thefermentable feedstock sources 3012 may utilize fertilizer 3006, fuel3008, utilities 3010, or some combination thereof. In such examples,different fermentable feedstock sources 3012 may utilize different typesof fertilizer 3006, fuel 3008, and/or utilities 3010. For example, thefertilizer 3006 may be composed of ammonia, and the ammonia may includea low CI hydrogen, as described above. In another example, one or moreof the fermentable feedstock sources 3012 may be waste facility toprovide organic waste including starches and/or sugars and, thus, maynot utilize fertilizer 3006. Further, various fermentable feedstocksources implements or equipment (e.g., farming equipment) may utilizefuel 3008. The fuel integration controller 3002 may consider the fuel3008 utilized (e.g., low CI fuel, renewable fuel, traditional fossilfuels, etc.) and the CI associated with the fuel 3008. Finally, the fuelintegration controller 3002 may consider the utilities 3010 used at thefermentable feedstock sources 3012 (e.g., renewable or conventional).Further, the fuel integration controller 3002 may consider the CI of theindirect land use change (ILUC) of the fermentable feedstock sources3012, in particular, in examples where one or more of the fermentablefeedstock sources 3012 are farms (as in, the change of use from foodproduction to fuel production and the potential cause of such a changeto further cause a forest, such as a rainforest, to be cleared for farmuse). Based on those factors, as well as the type of fermentablefeedstock at the fermentable feedstock sources 3012, the type offermentable feedstock the ethanol plant 3020 is able to process, thetime of availability of the fermentable feedstock, and/or the distancebetween the fermentable feedstock sources 3012 and the ethanol plant3020, the fuel integration controller 3002 may select a fermentablefeedstock from the respective fermentable feedstock source forfermentation in the ethanol process.

In another embodiment, the fuel integration controller 3002 may selector control the type of transportation 3014 to be utilized fortransporting the fermentable feedstock between the fermentable feedstock3012 and to either a fermentable feedstock storage location 3016 ordirectly to an ethanol plant 3020. The fuel integration controller 3002may consider and select the type of transportation based on the distancethat the transportation 3014 may travel to deliver the fermentablefeedstock (whether to fermentable feedstock storage 3016 or directly toan ethanol plant 3020), the amount of fermentable feedstock, thecapacity of the transportation 3014, the type of fuel utilized by thetransportation 3014, and/or the length of time for delivery. In anotherexample, such data (as in, fermentable feedstock source related dataand/or transportation related data) may be stored in a database,controller, procurement controller, procurement computing device,procurement and distribution controller, and/or procurement anddistribution computing device. In such examples, the fuel integrationcontroller 3002 may gather the data and choose the options, pathway,paths or processes from such devices.

As noted above, the fuel integration controller 3002 may control anethanol plant 3020 or connect to an ethanol plant controller 3018 tocontrol the ethanol plant 3020. The ethanol plant controller 3018 and/orfuel integration controller 3002 may control or select the utilities3010 to be utilized at the ethanol plant 3020 in the various ethanolplant 3020 processes. The utilities 3010 may be renewable utilities. Inanother example, the utilities 3010 may be from a co-located, nearby, orproximate utility provider. For example, a solar array, wind farm, orgeothermal power plants/facilities may be located or constructed nearbythe ethanol plant 3020. In another example, the ethanol plant 3020 mayhave various options in regards to power sources (e.g., via off-gridsources and other grid-based sources). Thus, one method to significantlyreduce the CI of ethanol may be to utilize a low CI utility, ifavailable. Further, low CI utilities may only be availableintermittently (e.g., wind farms may only provide power during certainweather conditions). Based on such situations, the fuel integrationcontroller 3002 may produce ultra-low CI ethanol for a period of timefor a certain type of transportation fuel (e.g., a high CI refinedtransportation fuel), while, during the period of non-availability ofrenewable power, produce a low CI ethanol for a different type oftransportation fuel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 30B and 30 C, the fuel integration controller3002 and/or ethanol plant controller 3018 may control and selectdifferent ethanol production processes at an ethanol plant 3020. Theethanol plant 3020 may be a dry mill, as illustrated in FIG. 30B, or awet mill, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. A wet millmay include tanks to soak fermentable feedstock (e.g., corn) in a diluteaqueous sulfur dioxide solution. The softened fermentable feedstock(e.g., corn) may be processed to remove the germ. The germ may beprocessed to produce oil (e.g., corn oil) for various uses (e.g., dieselproduction or animal feed). The remaining portion of the fermentablefeedstock (e.g., after germ removal) is processed to produce feed andstarch, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The starchmay further be processed into ethanol, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art.

For a dry mill, the fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanolplant controller 3018 may control how long to run a mill 3022 at theethanol plant 3020, thus controlling the granularity of the grist ormeal, which in turn may affect the amount of time and energy/heat usedduring liquefaction 3024 and/or saccharification 3026. The fuelintegration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plant controller 3018 mayfurther control the temperature to which the mash or combination ofwater and grist are to be heated to and for how long in the liquefactionprocess 3024. Further still, the fuel integration controller 3002 and/orethanol plant controller 3018 may control the saccharification 3026process. In particular, the fuel integration controller 3002 and/orethanol plant controller 3018 may control the temperature, the length oftime at a specified temperature, and the amount and type of enzymes(such as amylase) to use (if any are to be used) to aid in theproduction of sugars/saccharides from starches in the mash or mixture.The fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plant controller3018 may also control various processes involved in fermentation 3028.In addition, prior to addition of the yeast for fermentation 3028, thefuel integration controller 3002 may determine the temperature of themash and whether the mash is to be cooled or heated prior tofermentation. In such examples, a cooling unit may be disposed betweenfermentation 3028 and saccharification 3026. For example, thefermentation process 3028 may utilize various strains of yeast. The fuelintegration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plant controller 3018 mayselect the type of yeast based on the type of fermentable feedstockused. In another example, the fuel integration controller 3002 and/orethanol plant controller 3018 may select the length of time the mash ormixture is to be fermented and the type, the amount of yeast to beutilized for fermentation, and/or the temperature to heat/cool the mashto prior to addition of the yeast. The fuel integration controller 3002and/or ethanol plant controller 3018 may also control where the carbondioxide produced is directed. For example, to further reduce CI of theethanol, fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plantcontroller 3018 may select a carbon capture/sequestration process tocapture the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation. Once fermented,the fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plant controller3018 may control transport of the mash or mixture to a distillation unitor column. The fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plantcontroller 3018 may control the temperature and time for distillation,as well as the fuel source to heat the mash or mixture.

A further process or improvement to decrease CI of ethanol may be a heatwaste recovery system. The heat waste recovery system may reduce CI byreducing the total amount of fuel used in the fermentation anddistillation process. In an examples, a fuel integration controller 3002may consider or factor in a CI reduction based on a heat waste recoverysystem. For example, the water mixed with the grist or meal may bepre-heated with heat waste, thus requiring less energy to heat themixture to the proper temperature. Heat waste recovery may be utilizedin other processes within the ethanol plant, as will be understood bythose skilled in the art.

The fuel integration controller 3002 and/or ethanol plant controller3018 may control various other aspects of the ethanol productionprocess. For example, the fuel integration controller 3002 and/orethanol plant controller 3018 may control the filter process by adehydration/molecular sieve unit 3038 to filter out the remaining waterfrom the distillate or ethanol. Once filtered, the ethanol may havevarious uses, other than for fuel, such as for anti-septics or solvents.For use in fuels, the ethanol may undergo denaturing 3040 to preventhuman consumption and for tax purposes (e.g., ethanol produced for humanconsumption is taxed differently than ethanol produced for fuel andethanol produced for fuel may generate tax credits). In such examples,an amount of fuel, such as gasoline, kerosene, or other fuels, may beadded to the ethanol (from about 2% to about 5% of the total mixture).To further reduce CI, a low CI refined transportation fuel may beutilized in denaturing 3040.

In another example, the byproducts of distillation 3030 may be a mixtureof solids and liquids. The solids and liquids may be separated in acentrifuge 3032 to create wet grain and a thin stillage. The thinstillage may be transported to an evaporator 3034. The evaporator 3034may produce an amount of condensate water to be utilized or re-used inother processes within the ethanol plant 3020. The evaporator 3034 mayalso produce oils. The oil may be transported to storage 3064 for lateruse, such as for either human consumption or for use in a biodiesel orrenewable diesel plant 3065. In such examples, the oil may be associatedwith a CI proportional to the yield of ethanol, the yield of oil and theother byproducts, and the CI of the ethanol production process up to thepoint of transfer of the oil to the biodiesel or renewable diesel plant3065. Further, the evaporator 3034 may produce a syrup includingprotein, other nutrients, sugar, and/or starch. The syrup may betransported to storage 3062 for later use and may be associated with aCI proportional to the yield of ethanol, the yield of syrup and theother byproducts, and the CI of the ethanol production process up to thepoint of transfer of the syrup to a biofuel plant 3063. At the biofuelplant 3063, the syrup may be converted to a bio-gasoline or otherbio-fuel. In another example, the syrup may be combined with the wetgrain and transported to a dryer 3036 or transported directly to an enduser. The dryer may dehydrate the mixture of wet grains and syrup or wetgrains without additional syrup to form a feed or distillers grain(e.g., dried distillers grain and solubles (DDGS)), which may be high inprotein and other nutrients. The feed may be transferred to storage 3060and may be used as animal feed, for example, at a farm 3061. The lengthof time the feed may be in storage 3060 may be dependent on the type offeed (DDGS, WDG, or modified WDG). The feed may be associated with a CIproportional to the yield of ethanol, the yield of feed and the otherbyproducts, and the CI of the ethanol production process up to the pointof transfer of the feed to the farm 3061. While the process of creatingthe feed or DDGS, the oil, and/or syrup may create some amount of CI,that amount and more may be offset by the use of such byproducts, whichmay inherently reduce the CI of the ethanol.

Based on the utilities 3010 used, the production of the byproducts, theuse of carbon capture/sequestration, use of a heat waste recoverysystem, and/or other CI reducing processes, the total CI of the ethanolmay be less than or equal to zero. In some cases, the ILUC and other CIprocesses may be completely offset for a lower up front cost than ifsuch processes were implemented in a refinery. In other cases, while theCI of the ethanol may not be zero, the total CI may completely offsetILUC. In other cases, where ILUC is not utilized to determine carbonintensity, the total CI may be much less than zero. Thus, an ultra-lowCI ethanol may be produced and used to significantly reduce the CI of arefined transportation fuel upon blending.

As illustrated in FIG. 30D, the fuel integration controller 3002 mayconnect to one or more ethanol plants 3002 and refineries 3042 (or to anethanol plant controller 3018 and refinery controller 3044). In suchexamples, the fuel integration 3002 may include a CI threshold for aparticular refined and ethanol-blended transportation fuel. Based on theCI, the fuel integration controller 3002 may select an amount of ethanolat a particular CI and an amount of refined transportation fuel at aparticular CI. The fuel integration controller 3002 may determine thetypes of ethanol distribution pathways 3048 (similar to transportation3014) and refined transportation fuel distribution pathways 3050 and theCI associated with each. Based on these CI values, the fuel integrationcontroller 3002 may choose a distribution pathway. Once distributed tothe blending site 3058, the fuel integration controller 3002 or blendingcontroller 3052 may initiate blending of the refined transportation fueland the ethanol. The resulting refined and blended transportation fuelmay then be transported to a convenience store 3056 as a low CI blendedtransportation fuel.

In an example, several of the components of the ethanol productionprocess and/or transportation fuel process may be co-located orproximate. For example, one of the ethanol plants 3020 may be co-locatedwith or proximate to one of the fermentable feedstock sources 3012. Inanother example, one of the ethanol plants 3020 may be co-located withor proximate to one of the refineries 3042. As noted, each site may beco-located, proximate to, or nearby one of the other sites. Further,each site may include various storage structures or tanks for storingdifferent materials (fermentable feedstock, petroleum based feedstock,renewable feedstock, refined transportation fuels, ethanol, byproducts,hydrogen, etc.).

FIGS. 31A-C are simplified diagrams illustrating a control system formanaging the low carbon intensity ethanol production according to anembodiment. FIG. 31A illustrates an embodiment of an ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 for managing low carbon intensity ethanol production. Asnoted above, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may manage theoperations of ethanol production (e.g., low and/or high CI ethanolproduction processes or operation). The ethanol integration controller3102 may be one or more controllers, a supervisory controller,programmable logic controller (PLC), a computing device (such as alaptop, desktop computing device, and/or a server), and/or othersuitable devices. The ethanol integration controller 3102 may be locatedat or near an ethanol production facility. The ethanol integrationcontroller 3102, as noted, may be more than one controller. In suchcases, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may be located near or atvarious feedstock sources (e.g., farms), near or at one or more ethanolproduction facilities, and/or at other off-site locations. The ethanolintegration controller 3102 may include a processor 3104, or one or moreprocessors, and memory 3106. The memory 3106 may include instructions.In an example, the memory 3106 may be a machine-readable storage medium.

The ethanol integration controller 3102 may include various modules inmemory 3106. The modules may include or define a set of instructions,executable by the processor 3104 for different aspects involved inmanaging low and/or high carbon intensity ethanol production. Eachmodule may be in signal communication with other controllers, sensors,data inputs, computing devices, servers, ethanol production facilitycomponents, and/or user interfaces. The ethanol integration controller3102 may include an ethanol process selection module 3108, atransportation selection module 3110, a fermentable feedstock sourceselection module, and/or an audit report module 3112. The ethanolprocess selection module 3108 may be in signal communication with anethanol plant controller 3116 and/or a utility controller 3118. Theethanol process selection module 3108 may be in signal communicationwith a plurality of ethanol plant controllers (e.g., each ethanol plantcontroller located at a different and/or separate ethanol plants). Inanother example, the ethanol process selection module 3108 may be insignal communication with an ethanol plant controller 3116 including thefunctionality of a utility controller 3118. In yet another example, theethanol integration controller 3102 may include the functionality of anethanol plant controller 3116 and/or a utility controller 3118. Thetransportation selection module 3110 may connect to a procurementcomputing device 3120, a distribution computing device 3122, aprocurement and distribution computing device, a controller, a userinterface, a server, database, and/or another device. The transportationselection module 3110 may include functionality for selectingfermentable feedstock from a fermentable feedstock source. In anotherexample, a separate module, such as fermentable feedstock selectionmodule, may include such functionality. The audit report module 3112 maybe in signal communication with a user interface 3114. In such anexample, a user may request an audit report via the user interface 3114.The user interface 3114 may be in signal communication with the ethanolintegration controller 3102 and/or the audit report module 3112. In suchexamples, the user interface 3114 may send and receive data to and from,respectively, the ethanol integration controller 3102.

As noted above, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may be in signalcommunication with the user interface 3114. The user interface 3114 mayinclude an input (such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.) and adisplay. In another example, the user interface 3114 may be a computingdevice, such as a laptop, desktop computer, server, smartphone, tablet,or a terminal. A user may enter data into the user interface 3114 tosend to the ethanol integration controller 3102. For example, a user mayenter in a threshold CI for a particular ethanol production process. Auser may input a low CI ethanol specification for a particular ethanolproduction process, the low CI ethanol specification noting or includingthe threshold CI. The low CI ethanol specification may be or may includethe definition of a low CI ethanol. In another example, the user mayprompt or initiate an ethanol production process. In another example,the user may initiate the ethanol production process without a thresholdCI. In yet another example, the ethanol integration controller 3102 mayconnect to a database. The database may store the threshold CI and theethanol integration controller 3102 may obtain the threshold CI from thedatabase for a particular ethanol production process. The ethanolintegration controller 3102 may include or store the threshold CI inmemory 3106. In another example, a user may enter or input other datainto the ethanol integration controller 3102 via the user interface3114, such as available feedstock, available feedstock transportationpathways, available ethanol production processes at ethanol plants,available utilities, and/or available ethanol distribution pathways. Auser may also enter or input the algorithms and/or calculations todetermine a CI for any particular process. As described above, theethanol production process may be performed without a threshold CI. Insuch examples, the ethanol production process may be based on variousother factors.

In response to a reception of a threshold CI, whether from the userinterface 3114, a database, another device, or from memory 3106, theethanol integration controller 3102 may set, assign, or utilize thethreshold CI as a current threshold CI for a particular ethanolproduction process. As such, the ethanol integration controller 3102 mayselect various portions of the ethanol production process to ensure thatthe current threshold CI is not exceeded. Further, the ethanolintegration controller 3102 may simulate, model, or determine manydifferent variations to determine the best possible path, combination,or selection based on various data points or factors (e.g., cost,demand, shortest amount of time from feedstock to ethanol, overall ortotal CI, etc.). In another example, rather than utilizing a set CI orthreshold CI, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may initiateethanol production for an ethanol based on the lowest possible CI (basedon available options), the lowest possible cost, the shortest amount oftime to produce the ethanol, demand for a particular ethanol (e.g., lowCI), or some combination thereof. The ethanol integration controller3102 may determine the best possible path, combination, or selection viaa brute-force method, a min-max method, an admissible decision method,and/or via other decision making methods as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art.

For example, upon reception of the threshold CI or prompt forinitiation, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine a CIfor a number of or all selections of one or more available feedstock (inother words, feedstock variations). The ethanol integration controller3102 may further determine a CI for a number of or all selections ofblends of the one or more available fermentable feedstock. A fermentablefeedstock selection module, ethanol integration controller 3102,transportation selection module 3110, or another module may perform theCI determination for the fermentable feedstock variations (in otherwords, the CI of obtaining (e.g., farming and harvesting) a particularfermentable feedstock). The fermentable feedstock selection module,ethanol integration controller 3102, transportation selection module3110, or another module may determine the CI of each fermentablefeedstock variation based on data received from the procurementcomputing device 3120, a procurement and distribution computing device,a database, a user input from the user interface 3114, a fermentablefeedstock source controller in signal communication with the ethanolintegration controller 3102, memory 3106, or another device storing suchdata. The data received may include a volume of a fermentable feedstock,a type of fermentable feedstock (for example, grains, fruits, wasteproducts, vegetation, other organic materials, etc.), and/or a locationof the fermentable feedstock (for example, city, state, country, etc.).The data may also include the ILUC of the fermentable feedstock, ifapplicable and as disclosed above. In such examples, ILUC may beapplicable when considering ethanol to be shipped to different states(e.g., California may consider ILUC). The data may also include a CI (orraw data to determine the CI) associated with producing, obtaining,and/or any other processing of the fermentable feedstock (e.g., a CIassociated with obtaining, procuring, and/or processing a fermentablefeedstock from a fermentable feedstock source). Once a number of or allof the fermentable feedstock variations CI are determined, the ethanolintegration controller 3102 may store each CI in memory 3106, at adatabase, and/or at the procurement computing device 3120 for futureuse.

The ethanol integration controller 3102 may further determine afermentable feedstock transportation CI for a number of or all availablefeedstock transportation pathways for each or a number of each feedstockvariations. The transportation selection module 3110 or another modulein the ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine the CI. Theethanol integration controller 3102 or transportation selection module3110 may determine the fermentable feedstock transportation CIs based onthe selected one or more available fermentable feedstock or fermentablefeedstock variations, for any particular iteration or determination. Forexample, in the case that a fermentable feedstock from overseas ischosen, marine delivery modes or pathways may be considered, while for alocal fermentable feedstock (or a fermentable feedstock within the samecountry), rail and vehicular (e.g., a truck) transportation may beconsidered. The ethanol integration controller 3102 or transportationselection module 3110 may obtain available fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways from the procurement computing device 3120, theuser interface 3114, a database, from memory 3106, and/or from anotherdevice. Further, the ethanol integration controller 3102 or thetransportation selection module 3110 may base the CI on the volume ofeach fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, the fuel typeutilized by each fermentable feedstock transportation pathway (e.g.,gas, electricity, steam, other liquid fuels, etc.), and/or a distancefrom the source of the fermentable feedstock to the ethanol plant. Oncea number of or all of the fermentable feedstock transportation pathwayvariations CI, based on the fermentable feedstock variations, aredetermined, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may store each CI inmemory 3106, at a database, and/or at the procurement computing device3120 for future use.

The ethanol integration controller 3102 may further, via an ethanolprocess selection module 3108, determine an ethanol production processof an ethanol production process and utilities CI for a number of or allavailable ethanol production processes of one or more ethanol productionplants and utility options for each or a number of each feedstockvariations. The ethanol integration controller 3102 may, rather thandetermining an ethanol production process and utility CI, determine anethanol production process CI and/or a utilities CI. The ethanol processselection module 3108 or other modules within the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 may determine the ethanol production process andutilities CI. As noted above, an ethanol production process may utilizevarious utilities. To offset carbon emissions for standard ethanolproduction processes, renewable utilities (e.g., solar, wind,geothermal, renewable gas, etc.) may be utilized in the ethanolproduction process, thus reducing overall CI (as well as carbonemissions). In another example, carbon sequestration may be utilized orselected to reduce or offset the CI for a particular ethanol productionprocess, thus reducing the overall CI for ethanol production. In anexample, the ethanol integration controller 3102 or ethanol processselection module 3108 may determine available ethanol productionprocesses and utilities based on a list from an ethanol plant controller3116, utility controller 3118, or from memory 3106. In another example,the ethanol integration controller 3102 or ethanol process selectionmodule 3108 may determine available ethanol production processes andutilities based on the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock or fermentable feedstock variations (in other words, differentfermentable feedstock may utilize different ethanol productionprocesses, thus choices may be limited based on the particularfermentable feedstock variations). In such examples, the ethanolintegration controller 3102 and/or the ethanol process selection module3108 may determine CI for each available ethanol production process andutility option for each fermentable feedstock variation. The ethanolintegration controller 3102 and/or ethanol process selection module 3108may determine the CI for each available ethanol production process andutility option based on the type or types of the selected fermentablefeedstock variations, the utilities to be used during the ethanolproduction processes, the yield of each ethanol production process,and/or other factors, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.The ethanol integration controller 3102 may consider other ethanolplants. The ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine a CI forother ethanol plants, as described above. Once a number of or all of theethanol production processes and utilities CI (for one or more ethanolplants), based on the fermentable feedstock variations, are determined,the ethanol integration controller 3102 may store each CI in memory 3106or at a database for future use.

As noted, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may, rather thandetermining an ethanol production process and utility CI, determine anethanol production process CI and/or a utilities CI. The utility CI maybe based on the utilities used in a corresponding ethanol productionprocess, the utilities used to store a feedstock, the utilities used tostore ethanol, other utilities used for various other processes atethanol plants, and/or at other points in the ethanol productionprocess.

The ethanol integration controller 3102 may further determine an ethanoldistribution CI for a number of or all available ethanol distributionpathways for each or a number of each feedstock variations. Thetransportation selection module 3110 or another module in the ethanolintegration controller 3102 may determine the ethanol distribution CI.The ethanol integration controller 3102 or transportation selectionmodule 3110 may determine the ethanol distribution CI based on theselected one or more available fermentable feedstock and ethanolproduction process yield, for any particular iteration or determination.For example, one ethanol production process for a fermentable feedstockvariation may produce a certain amount of ethanol and, potentially,other byproducts (e.g., DDGS, syrup, and/or oil), while another ethanolproduction process for another fermentable feedstock variation mayproduce a different amount of ethanol and other byproducts. The ethanolintegration controller 3102 or transportation selection module 3110 mayobtain available ethanol distribution pathways from the distributioncomputing device 3122, the user interface 3114, a database, from memory3106, and/or from another device. Further, the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 or the transportation selection module 3110 maydetermine the ethanol distribution CI based on the volume of eachethanol distribution pathway, the fuel type utilized by each ethanoldistribution pathway, and/or a distance from the ethanol plant todistribution point and/or an end destination/point. Once a number of orall of the ethanol distribution pathway variations CI, based on thefermentable feedstock variations, are determined, the ethanolintegration controller 3102 may store each CI in memory 3106, at adatabase, distribution computing device 3122, and/or procurement anddistribution computing device for future use.

Once a number of or all CIs for each selection (as in, the selection ofthe one or more available fermentable feedstock, the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, the ethanol production process andutilities, the ethanol distribution, and/or blending processes) aredetermined, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine a setof variations, combinations, or selections of each of the selectionsnoted above. For example, one set of the variations, combinations, orselections may include a selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock, a selected one or more available fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways (corresponding to the fermentable feedstockvariation), a selected one or more ethanol production processes(corresponding to the fermentable feedstock variation), a selected oneor more utilities (corresponding to the ethanol production processesand/or other processes to use utilities), and a selected one or moreethanol distribution pathways (corresponding to the ethanol from theethanol plant). Further, the ethanol integration controller 3102 maydetermine a total CI for each variation, combination, or set ofselections. The ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine thetotal CI based on the volume of the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock, the yield from the corresponding or selectedethanol production processes to produce ethanol, the determinedfermentable feedstock CI, the determined fermentable feedstocktransportation CI, the determined ethanol production process andutilities CI, and/or the determined ethanol distribution CI. Otherfactors may be considered when determining a total CI. For example, theethanol integration controller 3102 may further base the total CI onfermentable feedstock storage CI (if utilized), an ethanol tank CI (ifutilized), emissions (e.g., VOC emissions through working losses,breathing losses, and flashing losses), carbon sequestration (ifutilized), a CI based on ILUC (if applicable), the CI of the byproductsof the ethanol production process (which may or may not decrease theoverall CI), and/or other carbon offsetting practices as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. In such examples, once theethanol integration controller 3102 determines the total CI for eachvariation, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may store each totalCI in memory 3106 and/or at a database.

Once each total CI variation is determined, the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 may determine a selection from the set of combinations.The combinations may include the various selections, described above,with a CI less than the threshold CI. In an example, if there are novariations with a CI less than the CI threshold, the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 may notify a user that all selections exceed thethreshold CI, prompt a user to enter a new threshold CI, and/or prompt auser to accept the selection with the lowest total CI (the lowest totalCI, in this case, exceeding the threshold CI). In another example, theethanol integration controller 3102 may automatically select a newthreshold CI. In another example, the ethanol integration controller3102 may determine the selection based on the lowest total CI (thelowest total CI not exceeding the threshold CI). In yet another example,multiple combinations may include a similar or the same total CI.However, each combination may exhibit different properties, such as acost issue or a timing issue (e.g., from fermentable feedstock tocustomer). In such examples, the ethanol integration controller 3102 mayselect one of the combinations, with the similar or same CI or a CIlower than threshold, further based on the time of availability of eachof the selected one or more available fermentable feedstock, a time fordelivery to the ethanol plant by the fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway, a time to process a fermentable feedstockutilizing the selected one or more ethanol production processes, a timeto delivery from the ethanol plant to the end user (e.g., a blendingsite, etc.), and/or any ethanol production processes queued or inproduction. Upon determination of a selection, the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102 may initiate ethanol production or transmit a request toconfirm initiation of the ethanol production.

As noted above, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine acombination of a selection of one or more fermentable feedstock, one ormore fermentable feedstock transportation pathways, a selection of oneor more ethanol production processes, a selection of one or moreutilities, and a selection of one or more ethanol distribution pathways.The ethanol integration controller 3102 may determine such a combinationbased on a determination of the fermentable feedstock CI (based on, forexample, a ratio or blend of available fermentable feedstock volume andtype), the fermentable feedstock transportation CI (based on availablefermentable feedstock transportation delivery distance and fuel type),the ethanol production process CI (based on the type of ethanolproduction process, the volume and type of fermentable feedstock, thelength of time of the ethanol production process, and/or the yield ofthe ethanol production process process), the utility CI of one or moreutilities (based on the type of utility utilized in the ethanolproduction process and the distance the utility travels to reach theethanol plant), and/or ethanol distribution CI (based on availableethanol distribution delivery distance and fuel type). Other factors maybe utilized in determining a combination, such as cost of each process,margin or profit based on a sale of the final product, availability,yield, ILUC, and/or one-time costs (such as increasing ethanolproduction capacity or increasing efficiency of an aspect of the ethanolproduction facility or source).

In another example, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may connectto a database. The database may include various data points, such asavailable fermentable feedstock (and corresponding raw data), availabletransportation modes (and corresponding raw data), available and typesof storage tanks (and corresponding raw data), available ethanolproduction processes (and corresponding raw data), and/or availableutility options (and corresponding raw data). In another example, a usermay update, via the user interface 3114, the data stored at thedatabase. In another example, the ethanol integration controller 3102may update the data at the database, for example, based on reception ofdata from various controllers and/or computing devices. In anotherexample, the ethanol integration controller 3102 may store determinedCIs, total CIs, and/or audit reports at the database, which otherdevices or user interfaces may access.

FIGS. 31B and 31C illustrate other simplified diagrams illustratingcontrol systems for managing the low carbon intensity energy productionaccording to an embodiment. In such examples, the fuel integrationcontroller 1000 may include the functionality of or connect to thehydrogen integration controller 2402 and the ethanol integrationcontroller 3102. As such, the fuel integration controller 1000 maycontrol the ethanol integration controller 3102 to produce a low carbonintensity ethanol or ultra-low carbon intensity ethanol to furtherreduce the carbon intensity of a refined and blended transportationfuel. In another example, a supervisory controller may connect to thefuel integration controller 1000, the hydrogen integration controller2402, and/or ethanol integration controller 3102 to orchestrate orcontrol refined and blended transportation fuel production processes,hydrogen production processes, and/or ethanol production processes. Insuch examples, the supervisory controller may connect to othercontrollers related to the refinery, hydrogen, water, utilities, ethanolproduction, biodiesel production, feedstock sources, and/or otherprocesses.

FIGS. 32A-B and FIG. 33 are flow diagrams, implemented in a controller,for managing the low carbon intensity ethanol production, according toan embodiment. The method is detailed with reference to the ethanolintegration controller 2902 and system 2900 of FIG. 29. Unless otherwisespecified, the actions of method 3200 and method 3300 may be completedwithin the ethanol integration controller 2902. Specifically, method3200 and method 3300 may be included in one or more programs, protocols,or instructions loaded into the memory of the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 or in a fuel integration controller and executed on theprocessor or one or more processors of the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 or fuel integration controller. The order in which theoperations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined inany order and/or in parallel to implement the methods.

At block 3202, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may receive asignal or prompt to initiate an ethanol production process. In anotherexample, a user at a user interface may initiate the ethanol productionprocess. At block 3204, the ethanol integration controller 2902 mayreceive a threshold CI for an amount of ethanol to be produced during anethanol production process. The ethanol integration controller 2902 mayreceive the threshold CI from a user, user interface, a low CI ethanolspecification (e.g., input by a user or stored in a database), acontroller, memory of the ethanol integration controller 2902, a fuelintegration controller, a supervisory controller, and/or another device.In response to a reception of the threshold CI, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may utilize or assign the input threshold CI as acurrent threshold CI. The current threshold CI may correspond to aparticular ethanol production process or operation. In other words, thethreshold CI may vary for different ethanol production processes.

At block 3206, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may select one ormore utilities 2912 to operate the ethanol plant 2908 or ethanol plantsfrom available utilities. In such examples, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may determine the available utilities 2912 based on datafrom a utility controller at a utility provider, data stored in theethanol integration controller 2902, a database, or from the memory ofan ethanol plant controller. In an example, a dedicated power source maybe located at or near the ethanol plant 2908 (e.g., a wind farm). Inother examples, the ethanol plant 2908 may include a variety of powersources or access to power sources. In such examples, the utilities 2912may be one of the largest factors affecting the overall CI of theproduced ethanol. As such, the ethanol integration controller 2902 mayselect a lower or the lowest CI utility. Once the utilities 2912 areselected, at block 3208, the ethanol integration controller 2902 maydetermine the selected utilities CI. In another example, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine the selected utilities CI andvarious other selections of the ethanol production processes CI. Theethanol integration controller 2902 may then select different one ormore utilities 2912 and determine the various CI for selections of theethanol production processes (e.g., determining CI for each variation,combination, or path). As noted above, ethanol plant 2908 operations maybe offset by the use of low CI utilities. For example, renewable fuelsfrom a utility provider may be provided to the ethanol plant 2908 toprocess a feedstock. The utilities 2912 may include different sources orforms of water/steam, of electricity (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal,renewable gas, etc.), and/or of other fuels (e.g., renewable natural gasor natural gas). Other utilities may include hydroelectric utilitiesand/or hydrogen fuel cell power systems. In an example, a utilityprovider may be an energy producing facility connected to the grid, anenergy producing facility nearby or proximate to the ethanol plant 2908,or an energy producing facility nearby or at and dedicated to theethanol plant 2908. As noted, the utility provider (e.g., the energyproducing facility) may produce energy via renewable resources (e.g., awind farm located nearby or at the ethanol plant 2908). In anotherexample, the utility provider (e.g., the energy producing facility) mayproduce energy via fossil fuels and/or renewable resources. Theutilities CI may further include a CI associated with utilities 2912used throughout the ethanol plant 2908. The utilities CI may be furtherbased on utilities 2912 used at the fermentable feedstock source (e.g.,utilities used to obtain, procure, or produce a fermentable feedstock ata farm), used at the fermentable feedstock storage tank 2906, duringethanol distribution (e.g., power utilized at a pump to pump ethanol toanother location), and/or used at any other point in the ethanolproduction process.

At block 3210, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theCI for one or more available fermentable feedstock from a fermentablefeedstock source 2904. As noted above, the available fermentablefeedstock may include organic matter including starches and/or sugar(e.g., corn, barley, wheat, sugar cane, beets, etc.) from a variety ofsources. In an example, the ethanol integration controller 2902 maydetermine a list or set of available feedstock from a user input (via auser interface), a database, a procurement controller, procurementcomputing device, procurement and distribution computing device, thememory of the ethanol integration controller 2902, and/or anotherdevice. Further, data or information on available fermentable feedstockmay be a subset of data or information on all available fermentablefeedstock based on available ethanol plants (e.g., different ethanolplants may be equipped to ferment and distill different types offermentable feedstock, while other ethanol plants may ferment anddistill other types of fermentable feedstock). As such, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine fermentable feedstock CI forone or more available fermentable feedstock from the subset of availablefermentable feedstock. Further, the ethanol integration controller 2902may determine fermentable feedstock CI based on the ratio, percentage,or blend of the fermentable feedstock's inherent CI, the type offermentable feedstock, the location of the fermentable feedstock (e.g.,distance from the ethanol plant 2908, fermentable feedstock storage2906, etc.), the power used or emissions generated by obtaining orproducing the fermentable feedstock, the CI of fertilizer used for thefermentable feedstock, and/or the volume of the fermentable feedstock.In another example, the fermentable feedstock CI may be known or given(e.g., via the user interface, database, controller, etc.). Further, asone or more available fermentable feedstock are determined or selected,the fermentable feedstock CI may be determined based on the ratio of thedetermined or selected one or more available fermentable feedstock(e.g., the ratio of the CI of two or more different fermentablefeedstock).

At block 3212, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine afermentable feedstock transportation CI for each available fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway for the one or more availablefermentable feedstock. The available fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways may include marine vessel transportation,vehicular transportation (e.g., a truck), and/or rail transportation.Different fermentable feedstock may be deliverable via particularfermentable feedstock transportation pathways. As such, based on one ormore available fermentable feedstock, the ethanol integration controller2902 may determine the fermentable feedstock transportation CI. Theethanol integration controller 2902 may further determine thefermentable feedstock transportation CI for each available fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway based on the volume of the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, the fuel utilized by the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, and the distance the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway may travel to deliver the fermentablefeedstock from the fermentable feedstock source 2904 to fermentablefeedstock storage 2906 or the ethanol plant 2908.

As noted above, fermentable feedstock storage in fermentable feedstockstorage 2906 may be associated with a CI. In other words, storing afermentable feedstock in fermentable feedstock storage 2906 may lead tocarbon emissions, based on various factors, such as time of storage,volume of the fermentable feedstock storage 2906, volume of thefermentable feedstock to be stored, power or CI required to transferfermentable feedstock to and from the fermentable feedstock storage2906, and/or power and time required to heat, cool, or control thehumidity of the fermentable feedstock. In such cases where fermentablefeedstock storage may be an option, the ethanol integration controller2902 may determine fermentable feedstock storage CI based on thosefactors. Further, a CI may be associated with transporting the storedfermentable feedstock to the ethanol plant 2908 or other ethanol plants.The stored fermentable feedstock may be transported via marine vessel,vehicle (e.g., a truck), and/or rail. The stored fermentable feedstocktransportation CI may be based on the volume of the stored fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, the fuel utilized by the storedfermentable feedstock transportation pathway, and the distance thestored fermentable feedstock transportation pathway may travel todeliver the stored fermentable feedstock from fermentable feedstockstorage 2906 to the ethanol plant 2908 or other ethanol plants.

At block 3214, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theethanol production process CI and/or the CI for other ethanol plants. Insuch examples, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may obtain a listof available ethanol plant processes from an ethanol plant controllerat, for example, the ethanol plant 2908 or ethanol plants, a database,or the memory of the ethanol integration controller 2902. In anotherexample, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theethanol production processes CI for each ethanol production processbased on the type of fermentable feedstock selected and the yield of theethanol production process. As noted above, high CI ethanol plantoperations or processes may be offset by the use of offsettingpractices. For example, the ethanol plant may utilize carbonsequestration to offset fermentation and distillation, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. For example, as a fermentablefeedstock is fermented, yeast consumes sugar in the fermentablefeedstock producing large quantities of carbon dioxide. Further, duringdistillation a fuel may be burned to heat the fermented feedstock. Theburning of the fuel may produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide may,if released into the atmosphere, contribute to the overall CI of theproduced ethanol. Rather than releasing the carbon dioxide into theatmosphere, the carbon dioxide may be captured or sequestered, thussignificantly lowering the overall CI of the ethanol.

As noted above, ethanol storage in a tank 2910 may be associated with aCI. In other words, storing the ethanol in a tank 2910 may lead tocarbon emissions, based on various factors, such as time of storage,volume of tank 2910, volume of ethanol to be stored, power required totransfer the ethanol to and from the tank 2910 (e.g., via a pump), powerand time required to heat/cool the ethanol, and/or the emissionsassociated with the storage of the ethanol (e.g., VOC emissions throughworking losses, breathing losses, and flashing losses). In such caseswhere ethanol storage may be an option, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may determine ethanol storage CI based on those factors.Further, a CI may be associated with transporting the ethanol from theethanol plant 2908 to the tank 2910. The stored ethanol may betransported via marine vessel, vehicle (e.g., a truck), and/or rail. Thestored ethanol CI may be based on the volume of the stored ethanoldistribution pathway, the fuel utilized by the stored ethanoldistribution pathway, and the distance the stored ethanol distributionpathway may travel to deliver the stored ethanol from the refinery 2918to the tank 2910.

At block 3216, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine anethanol distribution CI for each available ethanol distribution pathwayfor ethanol from a tank 2910 or ethanol plant 2908. The availableethanol distribution pathways may include marine vessel transportation,truck or vehicular transportation, and/or rail transportation. Theethanol integration controller 2902 may further determine the ethanoldistribution CI for each available ethanol distribution pathway based onthe volume of the ethanol distribution pathway, the fuel utilized by theethanol distribution pathway, and the distance the ethanol distributionpathway may travel to deliver the ethanol from the tank 2910 or ethanolplant 2902 to a blending site 2914 or another end user location.

At block 3218, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine thetotal CI for each variation of selections noted above. For example, forthe selected one or more available utilities or fermentable feedstock,the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine total CI based ona first fermentable feedstock selection, a first fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway, a first ethanol production process, a firstutility, and/or a first ethanol distribution pathway. The ethanolintegration controller 2902 may then determine the total CI for the nextvariation and so on. The ethanol integration controller 2902 may furtherbase the total CI on the volume of the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock, the yield percentage of the ethanol plant (inother words, the volume of the ethanol per the original feedstockvolume), and/or the CI of each selection. Other factors may be takeninto account for total CI.

In response to a determination of total CI, at block 3220, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine whether all selections or, atleast, a number of selections of the one or more available utilities(and the variations of the other selections described above) have beenconsidered (e.g., if a total CI has been determined for all variationsof utility combinations or paths). If all selections or a number ofselections of the one or more available utilities or fermentablefeedstock have not been considered, at block 3220, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may select another of the one or moreavailable utilities or fermentable feedstock and determine total CI, asdescribed above. If all of the one or more available utilities orfermentable feedstock or, at least, a particular amount or set of theone or more available utilities or fermentable feedstock have beenconsidered, then the ethanol integration controller 2902, at block 3222,may determine whether any path, combination, variation, or finalselection does not exceed the threshold CI. If no path, combination,variation, or final selection does not exceed the threshold CI (in otherwords, if all paths, combinations, variations, or final selectionsexceed the threshold CI), at block 3224, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may transmit a notification to a user, prompting theuser to select a new threshold CI. In another example, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may automatically increase the threshold CIbased on a specified amount. The ethanol integration controller 2902, atblock 3226, may wait until a new threshold CI is received. When a newthreshold CI is submitted or received by the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902, the current threshold CI is set to the new threshold CIand, at block 3206, another of the one or more available utilities orfermentable feedstock may be selected and each iteration or a number ofiterations may be determined again, as described above.

If at least one path, combination, variation, or final selection doesnot exceed the threshold CI, at block 3228, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may determine a set of paths, combinations, variations,or selections with the lowest total CI. In some cases, one path,combination, variation, or selection may not exceed the threshold CI,while in other cases many paths or selections may not exceed thethreshold CI. Each path, combination, variation, or selection mayinclude a selected one or more available fermentable feedstock, one ormore selected fermentable feedstock transportation pathways, one or moreselected ethanol production operations or processes, one or moreselected utilities, and/or one or more selected ethanol distributionpathways, as well as a corresponding CI for each selection.

Based on the set of paths, combinations, variations, or selections, atblock 3230, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine aselection of a path, combination, variation, or selection from the setof paths or selections. The ethanol integration controller 2902 mayselect the path, combination, variation, or selections based on, inaddition to lowest total CI, time of availability of each of theselected one or more available fermentable feedstock, a time fordelivery to the one or more ethanol plants by the fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway, a time to process a fermentable feedstockutilizing the selected one or more ethanol production operations orprocesses, a time to delivery from the one or more ethanol plants to ablending site, the cost of each selection, any ethanol productionprocess currently in progress or in queue, and/or customer demand forethanol of a particular CI. So, as an example, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may select the path, combination, variation, orselection having a lower than threshold CI (although not necessarily thelowest CI) and more efficient pathway (e.g., from fermentable feedstockto customer), as described above. An efficient pathway may include ashorter distance to travel overall (e.g., from fermentable feedstocksource to an end user), the time of availability for the fermentablefeedstock, the length of time to process a particular fermentablefeedstock (which may be based on a type of fermentable feedstock), thelength of time a fermentable feedstock may be stored at any point in theethanol production process, cost issues associated with each of theselections, and/or a high demand for a blended fuel of a particular CI.

In response to determination of a selection of the path, combination,variation, or selections, at block 3232, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may generate and transmit an estimated or initial auditreport to a user, user interface, database, and/or other device. Theaudit report may include the CI of each selection and the total CI. Theestimated audit report may include other information regarding each partof the planned or selected ethanol production process, such as where theselected fermentable feedstock is from, the type and volume of theselected fermentable feedstock, the type of fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways (as well as other details on the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway), the selected ethanol productionprocess, the estimated yield of the ethanol production process, theselected utilities, the source of the selected utilities, the type ofethanol distribution pathways (as well as other details regarding theethanol distribution pathway), length of time for storage at any pointin the process, and/or an overall timeline of the ethanol productionprocess. In another example, the ethanol integration controller 2902 maygenerate the estimated or initial audit report based on a request from auser and/or user interface.

In another example, the ethanol integration controller 2902, at block3238, may transmit a fermentable feedstock request. The fermentablefeedstock request may include the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock and the selected fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway. In another example, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may transmit a confirmation of the fermentable feedstockrequest prior to transmitting the fermentable feedstock request. Forexample, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may transmit a requestfor confirmation of a fermentable feedstock request of the selected oneor more available fermentable feedstock to a user interface or aprocurement computing device. In response to reception of theconfirmation (e.g., from the user interface or procurement computingdevice), the ethanol integration controller 2902 may transmit thefermentable feedstock request to a procurement computing device,procurement controller, the user interface (which may include aprocurement sub-routine or instructions), a procurement and distributioncomputing device, or other device.

At block 3236, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determinewhether the fermentation feedstock has been received at the ethanolplant 2908. Once the fermentable feedstock has been delivered to theethanol plant 2908, at block 3238, the ethanol integration controller2902 may determine the actual CI for the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock and corresponding fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway. The ethanol integration controller 2902 maydetermine, at block 3240, whether, in relation to the determinedfermentable feedstock CI and fermentable feedstock transportation CI,the actual CI for either the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock and corresponding fermentable feedstock transportation pathwayhas increased. If an increase is determined, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902, at block 3242, may select one or more different ethanolproduction processes, utilities, and/or ethanol distribution pathways tomaintain the total CI, cost, and/or timeline of ethanol production, ifsuch a selection is available. In another example, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may send a prompt or notification to a useror user interface. Further, the prompt may include the available optionsor paths, such as one or more different ethanol production processes atone or more ethanol plants, utilities, fermentable feedstock storage,storage tanks, and/or ethanol distribution pathways. In such examples,the user may select the new options or paths to maintain the total CI(e.g., from the estimate audit report) or lower the total CI further. Inanother example, the user may choose to continue with the priorselections.

In response to the determination that the determined fermentablefeedstock CI and fermentable feedstock transportation CI have notincreased or in response to a selection of one or more different ethanolproduction processes at one or more ethanol plants, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may, at block 3244, initiate any selectedethanol production processes or operations. In another example, theethanol integration controller 2902 may connect to an ethanol plantcontroller and transmit the initiation to the ethanol plant controller.The ethanol integration controller 2902 may notify a user of theinitiation of the ethanol production processes or operations. In anotherexample, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may send a prompt to auser to initiate or confirm initiation of the ethanol productionprocesses or operations.

In response to a reception of or determination of completion of theselected ethanol production processes or operations, at block 3246, theethanol integration controller 2902 may determine the actual CI for theselected ethanol production processes or operations and utilities. Theethanol integration controller 2902 may, at block 3248, determinewhether, in relation to the determined ethanol production processes oroperations CI and utility CI, the actual CI for the ethanol productionprocesses or operations and utilities has increased. If an increase isdetermined, the fuel integration controller 2902, at block 3250, mayselect one or more different ethanol fuel distribution pathways tomaintain CI, cost, and/or timeline of ethanol production, if such aselection is available.

Once a new ethanol distribution pathway is selected or if no new ethanoldistribution pathway is selected the ethanol integration controller2902, at block 3252, may transmit a distribution request or initiatedistribution of the ethanol via the selected ethanol distributionpathway. The distribution request may include the ethanol (e.g., theamount or volume of ethanol) and the selected ethanol distributionpathway. In another example, the ethanol integration controller 2902 maytransmit a request for confirmation of a distribution request of theethanol to a user interface or a distribution computing device. Inresponse to reception of the confirmation (e.g., from the user interfaceor distribution computing device), the ethanol integration controller2902 may transmit the ethanol request to a distribution computingdevice, distribution controller, the user interface (which may include adistribution sub-routine or distribution instructions), a procurementand distribution computing device, or other device.

At block 3254, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theactual CI for the selected one or more available fermentable feedstock,the completed fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, thecompleted ethanol production processes or operations includingutilities, and the completed ethanol distribution pathway. At block3256, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine the actualtotal CI. The actual total CI may be based on the actual ethanol yield(in relation to the proportion of byproducts produced in the ethanolproduction process), the actual feedstock volume, and the actual CI forthe selected one or more available fermentable feedstock, the completedfermentable feedstock transportation pathway, the completed ethanolproduction processes or operations including utilities, and thecompleted ethanol distribution pathway.

At block 3258, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may generate andtransmit an actual or final audit report to a user, user interface,database, and/or other device. The actual or final audit report mayinclude the actual total CI and the actual CI for each process (e.g.,the actual CI for the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock, the completed fermentable feedstock transportation pathway,the completed ethanol production processes or operations includingutilities, and the completed ethanol distribution pathway). The ethanolintegration controller 2902 may generate the actual or final auditreport based on a request from a user and/or user interface.

As illustrated in FIG. 33 and at block 3302, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may receive a signal or prompt to initiate an ethanolproduction process, as described above. At block 3304, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may select one or more utilities 2912 tooperate the ethanol plant 2908, as described above. At block 3306, theethanol integration controller 2902 may determine the CI for theselected utilities. The ethanol integration controller 2902 may gatherother information relating to each of the utilities to determine such aCI, such as, the type of utilities, the amount of utilities to beutilized, and/or the proximity of the utility provider to the ethanolplant 2908.

At block 3308, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theCI for one or more available fermentable feedstock from a fermentablefeedstock source 2904, as described above. At block 3310, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine a fermentable feedstocktransportation CI for each available fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway for the one or more available fermentablefeedstock, as described above. At block 3312, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may determine the ethanol production process CI and/orthe CI for other ethanol plants, as described above. At block 3314, theethanol integration controller 2902 may determine an ethanoldistribution CI for each available ethanol distribution pathway forethanol from a tank 2910 or ethanol plant 2908, as described above.

At block 3316, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine thetotal CI for each variation of selections, as described above. As anoptional step, in response to a determination of total CI, at block3318, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine whether allselections or, at least, a number of selections of the one or moreavailable utilities (and the variations of the other selectionsdescribed above) have been considered (e.g., if a total CI has beendetermined for all variations of utility combinations or paths), asdescribed above. In another example, rather than checking if eachvariation, path, or selection has been considered, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine a set amount of variation orpaths for an ethanol production process.

In an example, various paths may be considered, while in other examplesall paths may be considered (e.g., the ethanol integration controller2902 may determine the CI and other data points for each variation,path, or set of selections, while in other examples, the ethanolintegration controller 2902 may determine the CI and other data pointsfor a subset of each variations, paths, or set of selections). Forexample, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may considervariations, paths, or sets of selections of a particular cost, of aparticular CI, that utilize a particular fermentable feedstock source2904, that are powered by a particular type of utility or utilities,that will be finished in a particular time frame or time period, basedon availability of a particular utility or utilities, and/or based onavailability of a particular fermentable feedstock. The ethanolintegration controller 2902 may, at block 3320, select the best pathbased on various factors, regardless of the number of paths considered.For example, the fuel integration controller 2902, when determining thebest path, may consider, for each variation, path, or set of selectionsdetermined, the total CI of each, the cost of each, the timeline orperiod of time each may take (e.g., from fermentable feedstock source2904 to a blending site 2914), the demand of an ethanol of a particularCI or cost, and/or other various factors.

In response to determination of a selection of the path, combination,variation, or selections, at block 3322, the ethanol integrationcontroller 2902 may generate and transmit an estimated or initial auditreport to a user, user interface, database, and/or other device, asdescribed above. In another example, the ethanol integration controller2902, at block 3324, may transmit a fermentable feedstock request, asdescribed above. At block 3326, the ethanol integration controller 2902may determine the actual CI for the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock and corresponding fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway, as described above. After the determination ofthe actual CI for the selected one or more available fermentablefeedstock and corresponding fermentable feedstock transportationpathway, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may, at block 3328,initiate any selected ethanol production processes or operations, asdescribed above.

In response to a reception of or determination of completion of theselected ethanol production processes or operations, at block 3330, theethanol integration controller 2902 may determine the actual CI for theselected ethanol production processes or operations and utilities, asdescribed above. Once the actual CI for the selected ethanol productionprocesses is determined, the ethanol integration controller 2902, atblock 3332, may transmit a distribution request or initiate distributionof the ethanol via the selected ethanol distribution pathway, asdescribed above.

At block 3334, the ethanol integration controller 2902 may determine theactual CI for the selected one or more available fermentable feedstock,the completed fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, thecompleted ethanol production processes or operations includingutilities, and the completed ethanol distribution pathway, as describedabove. At block 3336, the ethanol integration controller 2902 maydetermine the actual total CI, as described above. At block 3338, theethanol integration controller 2902 may generate and transmit an actualor final audit report to a user, user interface, database, and/or otherdevice, as described above.

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/061,162, filed Aug. 4, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL PRODUCTION,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/066,912 filed Aug. 18, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL PRODUCTION,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/198,626 filed Oct. 30, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLISTICLOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION,” and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/113,186 filed Nov. 12, 2020, titled “SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR HOLISTIC LOW CARBON INTENSITY FUEL AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION,”the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In the drawings and specification, several embodiments of systems andmethods to provide low carbon intensity transportation fuels and lowcarbon intensity hydrogen have been disclosed, and although specificterms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation. Embodiments of systems and methods havebeen described in considerable detail with specific reference to theillustrated embodiments. However, it will be apparent that variousmodifications and changes may be made within the spirit and scope of theembodiments of systems and methods as described in the foregoingspecification, and such modifications and changes are to be consideredequivalents and part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process to provide low carbon intensity ethanolfor blending with a refined transportation fuel, the low carbonintensity ethanol obtained through one or more targeted reductions ofcarbon emissions associated with a combination of various fermentablefeedstock procurement, fermentable feedstock transportation, ethanolproduction, and ethanol distribution pathways, the process comprising:selecting a carbon intensity threshold to define an upper limit forcarbon intensity of ethanol to be provided to an end user location;selecting a fermentable feedstock that is procured at a source, thefermentable feedstock being selected to reduce carbon emissionsassociated therewith and thereby maintain the carbon intensity of theethanol below the carbon intensity threshold; selecting a transportationpathway to transport the fermentable feedstock from the source to anethanol plant, the transportation pathway being selected to reducecarbon emissions associated therewith and thereby maintain the carbonintensity of the ethanol below the carbon intensity threshold; selectingone or more ethanol production processes to reduce carbon emissions andthereby maintain the carbon intensity of the ethanol below the carbonintensity threshold, the one or more ethanol production processesselected from a group including, powering at least a portion of ethanolplant equipment with electricity generated proximate the ethanol plantthrough a renewable source, burning renewable natural gas in an ethanolplant furnace, generating steam through renewable natural gas-fedboilers, and sequestering carbon dioxide produced during the ethanolproduction process; processing the fermentable feedstock into ethanoltogether with operating the selected one or more ethanol productionprocesses; selecting a distribution pathway to transport a quantity ofthe ethanol from the ethanol plant to the end user location, thedistribution pathway being selected to reduce carbon emissionsassociated therewith and thereby maintain the carbon intensity of theethanol below the carbon intensity threshold; determining the carbonintensity of the ethanol as a function of carbon emissions per unitenergy associated with procuring the selected fermentable feedstock atthe source, carbon emissions per unit energy associated withtransporting the fermentable feedstock from the source to the ethanolplant by use of the selected transportation pathway, carbon emissionsper unit energy associated with processing the fermentable feedstockinto ethanol together with operating the one or more ethanol productionprocesses, and carbon emissions per unit energy associated withtransporting the quantity of ethanol to the end user location by use ofthe selected distribution pathway; verifying that the carbon intensityof the ethanol remains below the carbon intensity threshold for theethanol to be provided to the end user location; maintaining a recordthat is associated with the ethanol to be provided to the end userlocation, the record detailing the carbon intensity of the ethanol; andoutputting the ethanol through the selected distribution pathway as lowcarbon intensity ethanol.
 2. The process according to claim 1, whereinthe processing the fermentable feedstock into ethanol includes: millingthe fermentable feedstock to form a grist, combining the grist with hotwater for a specified time interval to form a mash, adding enzymes tothe mash to aid in the development of saccharides, cooling the mash,adding yeast to the cooled mash to ferment the mash, distilling thefermented mash to a distillate and a combination of solids and leftoverliquids, filtering the distillate, and denaturing the filtereddistillate.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein thedistribution pathway transports the quantity of ethanol to a fuelblending site where the quantity of ethanol is blended with a refinedtransportation fuel and wherein the fuel blending site is the end userlocation.
 4. The process according to claim 4, wherein the blending siteincludes a terminal where the refined transportation fuel and quantityof ethanol are blended.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein oneor more of the transportation pathway and distribution pathway uses oneor more of electric power generated from wind energy, electric powergenerated from solar energy, electric power generated by a hydroelectricgenerator, electric power generated by a geothermal power generator, orrenewable diesel, and the transportation pathway is selected from thegroup consisting of rail, vehicle, and barge.
 6. The process accordingto claim 1, wherein electricity generated by a renewable source includeselectricity generated by one or more of a wind turbine, a solar array,geothermal power generator, a hydroelectric generator, or a stationaryfuel cell power system.
 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein thefunction of carbon emissions per unit energy associated with procuringthe selected fermentable feedstock at the source includes carbonemissions per unit energy of the selected fermentable feedstock andcarbon emissions per unit energy for providing the feedstock at thesource.
 8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the ethanol is anultra-low carbon intensity ethanol.
 9. The process according to claim 8,wherein the at least one fermentable feedstock from at least one of theone or more sources is selected from the group consisting of a corn,sugar cane, beets, wheat, other grains including starch or sugar, andother organic matter including sugar or starch and wherein the one ormore sources of fermentable feedstock include a farm or co-located farm.10. A system to operate an ethanol plant for distribution of a lowcarbon intensity (CI) ethanol therefrom and obtained through one or moretargeted reductions of carbon emissions (CE) associated withcombinations of various available fermentable feedstock to be suppliedto various ethanol plants, various selected fermentable feedstocktransportation and ethanol distribution pathways, and various ethanolproduction processes, the system comprising: an ethanol plant controllerto control one or more various ethanol production processes to beoperated at one or more ethanol plants; and an ethanol integrationcontroller in signal communication with the ethanol plant controller,the ethanol integration controller including one or more processors andmemory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the oneor more processors, to: (I) determine a fermentable feedstock CI foreach of one or more available fermentable feedstock from one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock sources to be supplied to the one ormore ethanol plants from one or more available fermentable feedstocktransportation pathways, (II) for each one or more available fermentablefeedstock: (a) determine a fermentable feedstock transportation CI foreach of one or more available fermentable feedstock transportationpathways based on: (1) a volume of a fermentable feedstocktransportation pathway, (2) fuel type utilized by the fermentablefeedstock transportation pathway, and (3) distance to travel to the oneor more ethanol plants, (b) determine an ethanol production process CIfor each of one or more ethanol production processes based on: (1) oneor more available ethanol production processes available at the one ormore ethanol plants, (2) a type of fermentable feedstock of the one ormore available fermentable feedstock, and (2) a yield of each one ormore available ethanol production processes, (c) determine a utilitiesCI for each of one or more utilities based on: (1) a type of utility tobe used during an ethanol production process and (2) a utilities'source, (d) determine an ethanol distribution CI for each of one or moreavailable ethanol distribution pathway based on: (1) a volume of anethanol distribution pathway, (2) a type of the ethanol distributionpathway, (3) fuel type utilized by the ethanol distribution pathway, and(4) distance to travel for a delivery of ethanol, (e) determine a set ofcombinations, each of the set of combinations including: (1) one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock, (2) one or more available fermentablefeedstock transportation pathways, (3) one or more ethanol productionprocesses of one or more ethanol plants, (4) one or more utilities, and(5) one or more available ethanol distribution pathways, and (f)determine a total CI for each of the set of combinations, (III)determine a final selection from the set of combinations including atotal CI less than or equal to a threshold CI, the threshold CI beingdefined as an upper limit of CI in providing ethanol to an end userlocation that qualifies the ethanol as a low CI ethanol, the CI of theethanol being a function of the total carbon emissions per unit energyof the ethanol, the final selection including: (a) a selected one ormore available fermentable feedstock, (b) a selected one or morefermentable feedstock transportation pathways, (c) a selected one ormore ethanol production processes of one or more ethanol plants, (d) aselected one or more utilities, and (e) a selected one or more ethanoldistribution pathways, (IV) in response to the final selection, transmita fermentable feedstock request based on the selected one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock and the selected one or more fermentablefeedstock transportation pathways, (V) in response to a determinedreception of the selected one or more available fermentable feedstock atthe one or more ethanol plants, initiate, at the ethanol plantcontroller, the selected one or more ethanol production processes of theone or more ethanol production processes, and the selected one or moreutilities to operate the selected one or more ethanol productionprocesses thereby to transform the selected one or more availablefermentable feedstock to ethanol, and (VI) in response to determinationof completion of the selected one or more ethanol production processes,transmit a delivery request of the ethanol via the selected one or moreethanol distribution pathways.
 11. The system according to claim 10,wherein the determination of the feedstock CI further includes: (a) avolume of each of the one or more available fermentable feedstock, (b) atype of fermentable feedstock of each of the one or more availablefermentable feedstock, (c) an indirect land use change (ILUC)determination, (d) a type of fuel utilized by equipment at thefermentable feedstock source, (e) a type of fertilizer utilized for thefermentable feedstock, and (f) a location of each of the one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock.
 12. The system according to claim 10,wherein the determination of the total CI is further based onfermentable feedstock storage CI and wherein the memory further hasinstructions to: (a) determine the fermentable feedstock storage CIbased on: (1) a time each of a one or more stored fermentable feedstockhas been stored in each of a one or more fermentable feedstock storage,and (2) a time and power associated with regulating the temperature ofeach of the one or more stored fermentable feedstock.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the determination of the total CI isfurther based on an ethanol storage tank CI and the memory further hasinstructions to: (a) determine the ethanol storage tank CI based on: (1)a time the ethanol will be stored in each of the one or more ethanolstorage tanks, (2) a time and power associated with regulating thetemperature of each of the one or more ethanol storage tanks, and (3) anestimate volume associated with emissions associated with each of theone or more ethanol storage tanks.
 14. The system according to claim 10,wherein the one or more ethanol production processes include options to:(a) provide electrical power for the ethanol plant through renewablesources, the renewable sources comprising wind, solar, hydroelectric,geothermal, and hydrogen, (b) employ renewable fuels in boilers andfired heaters of the ethanol plant, the renewable fuels comprisingrenewable diesel and renewable natural gas, and (c) sequester carbondioxide produced during the one or more ethanol production processes.15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the determination of thefinal selection from the set of combinations is based on: (a) the totalCI, (b) a time of availability of each of the one or more availablefermentable feedstock, (c) a time for delivery to the ethanol plant byeach of the one or more fermentable feedstock transportation pathway,(d) a time to process one or more available fermentable feedstockutilizing each of the one or more ethanol production processes, and (e)a length of time to deliver, from the ethanol plant to an end user,ethanol by each of the one or more ethanol distribution pathways. 16.The system according to claim 10, wherein the memory further hasinstructions to: (a) in response to the determined reception of theselected one or more available fermentable feedstock at the ethanolplant: (1) determine actual fermentable feedstock CI for the selectedone or more available fermentable feedstock, (2) determine actualfermentable feedstock transportation CI for the selected one or morefermentable feedstock transportation pathways, (3) in response to adetermination of an increase of the combined CI of the actualfermentable feedstock CI and actual fermentable feedstock transportationCI in relation to the combination of the determined fermentablefeedstock CI and the determined fermentable feedstock transportation CI:(A) select one or more different ethanol production processes, one ormore different utilities, and one or more different ethanol distributionpathways to maintain total CI.
 17. The system according to claim 16,wherein the memory further has instructions to: (a) in response todetermination of completion of the selected one or more ethanolproduction processes: (1) determine actual ethanol production process CIfor the selected one or more ethanol production processes, (2) determineactual utility CI for the selected one or more utilities, (3) inresponse to a determination of an increase of the combined CI of theactual ethanol production process CI and actual utility CI in relationto the combination of the determined ethanol production process CI anddetermined utilities CI: (A) select one or more different ethanoldistribution pathways to maintain total CI.
 18. The system according toclaim 17, wherein the memory further has instructions to: (a) inresponse to determination of completion of the selected one or moreethanol distribution pathways: (1) determine actual CI for: (A)theselected one or more available fermentable feedstock, (B) a completedone or more fermentable feedstock transportation pathways, (C) acompleted one or more ethanol production processes, (D) one or moreutilities used to operate the completed one or more ethanol productionprocesses, and (E) a completed one or more ethanol distribution pathway,(2) determine actual total CI based on: (A) an actual ethanol yield, (B)an actual feedstock volume, (C) the actual CI for the completed one ormore fermentable feedstock transportation pathways, (D)the actual CI forthe completed one or more ethanol production processes, (E) the actualCI for the one or more utilities used to operate the completed one ormore ethanol production processes, and (F) the actual CI for thecompleted one or more ethanol distribution pathways, and (3) transmit anaudit report including the actual CI for each selection and the actualtotal CI.
 19. An ethanol integration controller to operate one or moreethanol plants for distribution of a low carbon intensity (CI) ethanoltherefrom and for blending with a refined transportation fuel andobtained through one or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions(CE) associated with various available fermentable feedstock to besupplied to the one or more ethanol plants, various selected fermentablefeedstock transportation and blended fuel distribution pathways, andvarious ethanol production processes, the ethanol integration controllercomprising: a first input/output in signal communication with aprocurement computing device, such that the ethanol integrationcontroller is configured to: determine a selection of one or moreavailable feedstock, a selection of one or more feedstock transportationpathways, a selection of one or more ethanol production processes at oneor more ethanol production sources, a selection of one or moreutilities, and a selection of one or more ethanol distribution pathways,each selection based on: a determination of fermentable feedstock CI ofone or more blends of the one or more available fermentable feedstockbased on volume and type of fermentable feedstock and based on a CIassociated with procuring a fermentable feedstock, a determination offermentable feedstock transportation CI of one or more fermentablefeedstock transportation pathways based on delivery distance and fueltype of the fermentable feedstock transportation pathway, adetermination of ethanol production process CI of one or more ethanolproduction processes at one or more ethanol plants based on the type ofethanol production process, the volume and type of feedstock, and thelength of time of the ethanol production process, a determination ofutility CI of one or more utilities based on the type of utilityutilized to operate the one or more ethanol production processes and adistance the one or more utilities travel to the one or more ethanolproduction processes, a determination of ethanol distribution CI of oneor more ethanol distribution pathways based on delivery distance andfuel type of an ethanol distribution pathway, and a determination of oneor more total CIs less than the threshold CI, the total CIs based onvarying combinations of the determinations of CI, in response to theselection of the one or more available fermentable feedstock, theselection of one or more fermentable feedstock transportation pathways,the selection of one or more ethanol production processes at one or moreethanol plants, the selection of one or more utilities, and theselection of one or more ethanol distribution pathways: transmit afermentable feedstock request to the procurement computing device, thefermentable feedstock request including the selection of the one or moreavailable feedstock and the selection of the one or more feedstocktransportation pathways; a second input/output in signal communicationwith an ethanol plant controller, the ethanol plant controller tocontrol one or more various ethanol production processes to be operatedat the one or more ethanol plants, such that the ethanol integrationcontroller is configured to: in response to a determined reception ofthe selected one or more available fermentable feedstock at the one ormore ethanol plants: determine actual fermentable feedstock CI andactual fermentable feedstock transportation CI, in response to adetermination that the actual fermentable feedstock CI and actualfermentable feedstock transportation CI has increased in relation to thedetermined fermentable feedstock CI and determined fermentable feedstocktransportation CI, determine one or more of a new selection of one ormore ethanol production processes, a new selection of one or moreutilities, and a new selection of one or more ethanol distributionpathways to maintain total CI, and initiate, at the ethanol plantcontroller, the selected one or more ethanol production processes at theone or more ethanol plants and the selected one or more utilities tooperate the selected one or more ethanol production processes at the oneor more ethanol plants thereby to transform the selected one or moreavailable fermentable feedstock to ethanol; and a third input/output insignal communication with a distribution computing device such that theethanol integration controller is configured to: in response todetermination of completion of the selected one or more ethanolproduction processes at the selected one or more ethanol plants:determine an actual ethanol production process CI and an actual utilityCI, in response to a determination that the actual ethanol productionprocess CI and actual utility CI has increased in relation to thedetermined ethanol production process CI and determined utility CI,determine one or more new selections of one or more ethanol distributionpathways, and transmit a delivery request of the ethanol via theselection of the one or more ethanol distribution pathways to thedistribution computing device.
 20. The ethanol integration controlleraccording to claim 19, wherein the one or more ethanol productionprocesses include offsetting practices and wherein the offsettingpractices include ethanol production processes to: provide electricalpower for the one or more ethanol production sources through renewablesources, the renewable sources comprising wind, solar, hydroelectric,geothermal, or hydrogen fuel cells, employ renewable fuels in boilersand fired heaters of the ethanol plants, the renewable fuels comprisingrenewable diesel and renewable natural gas, and sequester carbon dioxideproduced during the one or more ethanol production processes.